SIR: In recent years, terrorism has emerged as a formidable challenge which has singlehandedly fuelled the spectacular disintegration of Nigeria‘s security architecture. The devastating result is that many Nigerians now live in constant fear of ruthless attacks by non-state actors.
As a result of all these problems exacerbated by a marked failure of leadership, many Nigerians with the means have mopped up and left the country. Many others without means have shown that there are really no limits to the distance desperation can drive one by the daring journeys they have made under perilous circumstances in their bid to escape the country.
In this time, Nigeria has lost some of its best heads and best hands to the mistral of migration to other countries where life is not necessarily a bed of roses but is bliss compared to Nigeria‘s thicket of thorns.
In this time, many Nigerians have flocked to the United Arab Emirates where the country’s oil wealth and embrace of technology have become honeypots attracting migrants from many unstable countries.
However, it appears that much to the embarrassment and chagrin of Nigeria, many Nigerians who have found their way to the United Arab Emirates in recent times have taken their criminal tendencies with them all the way from Nigeria. What a grim export!
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who heads the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission(NiDCOM) via a tweet recently drew attention to the fact that the crime rate of Nigerians in Dubai which is in the United Arab Emirates is one of the highest.
The observation came just days after the government of the United Arab Emirates slammed a visa ban on Nigerians and nationals of other African countries including Ghana, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda among others.
It is indeed very sad that some Nigerians leave their country only to take to a life of crime in other countries. If only those Nigerians who do these things would understand that their actions are de-marketing Nigeria and Nigerians, and soiling what little is left of the image of Nigeria in the eyes of the international community.
NiDCOM must intensify its sensitization of Nigerians living in diaspora on the need to be good ambassadors of the country especially as Nigeria can ill-afford to lose what little credibility it has in the eyes of the international community.
•Kene Obiezu
Twitter: @kenobiezu