The frequent harassment and killing of Nigerians abroad highlight the glaring weaknesses in Nigeria’s foreign policy. The recent murder of Destiny, an up-and-coming Nigerian artiste in Ghana’s Volta Region, is a stark reminder of this troubling reality.
Destiny, 18, who hailed from Edo State, was accused by a Ghana-based Nigerian of failing to remit funds from a mutual business venture. The accuser, along with other suspects, allegedly invaded Destiny’s apartment and beat him to death.
Between 2016 and 2023, about 300 Nigerians were killed extrajudicially overseas, according to The PUNCH. The situation is particularly dire in South Africa, where xenophobic attacks have claimed the lives of over 200 Nigerians.
Among the victims was Elizabeth Ndubuisi-Chukwu, deputy director-general of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria. She was found dead under suspicious circumstances consistent with strangulation in her Johannesburg hotel room in June 2019 while attending a conference.
In December 2023, a Winnipeg police officer reportedly killed Afolabi Opaso, 19, in his Canadian apartment as he suffered a mental health crisis.
That same year in the Philippines, six Chinese men murdered a Nigerian medical student, Ikem Chukwubuikem, after he allegedly demanded compensation for his girlfriend; he was framed for sexual assault and beaten to death.
In Burkina Faso, 16 Nigerian pilgrims from the Islamic Tijaniyat sect were shot dead by Burkinabe soldiers while en route to Senegal in 2023.
The maltreatment of Nigerians abroad is deeply troubling, and most victims do not receive justice. Sadly, many Nigerians killed within their own country also see no justice. This is not surprising, given Nigeria’s poor record of protecting its citizens at home and abroad, and the apparent lack of value placed on their lives.
In March, Nigerian boxer Oluwasegun Olanrewaju collapsed and died during a bout in Ghana. His remains were only repatriated on June 17, further illustrating the lack of urgency in addressing such tragedies.
What some countries do to Nigerians abroad, they would not dare do to citizens of even the smallest nations. Countries like the United States and Israel go to great lengths to protect their citizens worldwide.
The US Bureau of Diplomatic Security provides timely information on local safety and security. It assists US citizens who are victims of crime abroad in filing complaints and obtaining police reports.
Nigerians living abroad play a vital role in the economy. Remittances from Nigerians in the Diaspora have exceeded $20 billion, contributing 6.0 percent to the country’s GDP as of 2024. The government must do everything possible to ensure their safety and seek justice for victims of extrajudicial killings.
At the same time, Nigerians abroad must conduct themselves responsibly, avoid criminality, and respect the laws of their host countries.
Unfortunately, President Bola Tinubu has yet to appoint new ambassadors after recalling them in September 2023. This delay is inexcusable.
A recent viral video suggests Nigerian diplomats have abandoned the country’s embassy in Tehran amid Iran’s aerial conflict with Israel, while other countries have evacuated their citizens.
Nigeria’s political elite must address the root causes driving mass migration. Over one million Nigerians live in the US, and nearly twice that number reside in the UK.
More than 71,459 Nigerians reportedly acquired Canadian citizenship between 2005 and 2024, not counting those still living, working, or studying there without citizenship.
It is disheartening that some Nigerians even migrate to crisis-prone countries like Libya, Iraq, and Mali, lured by false promises, only to face poverty, enslavement, or death.
Nigerians must realise that life abroad is not always paradise and should learn to appreciate the opportunities available at home. Despite its challenges, Nigeria still offers significant prospects for the enterprising.
Ultimately, it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that the protection of Nigerian citizens remains the centrepiece of the country’s foreign policy.
The Punch
