At least 400 citizens of Niger Republic would stage a protest on
Monday in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, to distance themselves from accusations of
terrorism.
Monday in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, to distance themselves from accusations of
terrorism.
They said in a statement on Wednesday, that many of them are
being arrested and deported by the government following Boko Haram scare in
Lagos.
being arrested and deported by the government following Boko Haram scare in
Lagos.
The Nigerian government “is chasing shadows and looking for
criminals in the wrong places,” they said in a statement signed by Comrade
Declan Ihekaire, National Coordinator of Concerned Human Rights Nigeria.
criminals in the wrong places,” they said in a statement signed by Comrade
Declan Ihekaire, National Coordinator of Concerned Human Rights Nigeria.
“We are being harassed, intimidated, arrested, detained and even
deported by the Lagos State Government,” they said.
deported by the Lagos State Government,” they said.
The protest would take place at Agege Area of Lagos and would
start with a press conference, said Ihekaire, whose organisation speaks on
behalf of the Niger Republic citizens.
start with a press conference, said Ihekaire, whose organisation speaks on
behalf of the Niger Republic citizens.
The Niger Republic citizens said they believe the Nigerian
government knows those behind Boko Haram terrorist organisation “but has chosen
to go after innocent poor people who live in the country peacefully.”
government knows those behind Boko Haram terrorist organisation “but has chosen
to go after innocent poor people who live in the country peacefully.”
Since the arrests and mass deportation started, they said, their
families have been destabilised.
families have been destabilised.
“Our families have been broken, our children have been stopped
from going to school and our nights have now become nightmarish. We are law
abiding citizens and grateful to be in Nigeria but we are not bombers, armed
robbers or dreaded Boko Haram members as claimed by the government.”
from going to school and our nights have now become nightmarish. We are law
abiding citizens and grateful to be in Nigeria but we are not bombers, armed
robbers or dreaded Boko Haram members as claimed by the government.”
They added: “We have nothing to do with Boko Haram and hence to
ventilate our grievances, the citizens of Niger Republic resident in Lagos are
calling on human rights bodies to join the over 400 of us to protest this
injustice, pain and agony on Monday, 8 April.
ventilate our grievances, the citizens of Niger Republic resident in Lagos are
calling on human rights bodies to join the over 400 of us to protest this
injustice, pain and agony on Monday, 8 April.
“A reprisal from our country would not go down well as there are
more Nigerians in Niger Republic than we are in Lagos or Nigeria.”
more Nigerians in Niger Republic than we are in Lagos or Nigeria.”
Speaking on behalf of the Niger Republic citizens, Concerned
Human Rights Nigeria said: “We are aware there are Nigerians outside the shores
of this country illegally doing their small business just like most of these
non-Nigerians in Nigeria.”
Human Rights Nigeria said: “We are aware there are Nigerians outside the shores
of this country illegally doing their small business just like most of these
non-Nigerians in Nigeria.”
The group said most of those being arrested are simply
shoemakers, scavengers, maids, or security guards.
shoemakers, scavengers, maids, or security guards.
“In Ghana alone, we have close to two million Nigerians
living illegally there. In the Republic of Niger, there are 2.5 million
Nigerians and there are as many in Togo, Benin Republic, Congo, Guinea, Gabon
and even Cameroon,” Ihekaire said.
living illegally there. In the Republic of Niger, there are 2.5 million
Nigerians and there are as many in Togo, Benin Republic, Congo, Guinea, Gabon
and even Cameroon,” Ihekaire said.
He wondered if “Mohammed Yusuf, Kabiru Sokoto and a serving
senator arrested in connection with Boko Haram activities were non-Nigerians.”
senator arrested in connection with Boko Haram activities were non-Nigerians.”
“On this note, the entire members of Concerned Human Rights
Nigeria and all its allies call for an urgent stoppage of this national
disgrace and unnecessary show of strength by the overzealous Lagos State agents
and the Nigerian Police to advert a reprisal that could be counterproductive,”
Ihekaire said.
Nigeria and all its allies call for an urgent stoppage of this national
disgrace and unnecessary show of strength by the overzealous Lagos State agents
and the Nigerian Police to advert a reprisal that could be counterproductive,”
Ihekaire said.
Source: PMNews
