The Nigerian community in Cote d’Ivoire led by High Chief Michael Emeka Ownuchelu has called on President Bola Tinubu to rescue some Nigerians in Abidjan prison facilities in Cote d’Ivoire.
In a statement signed on behalf of the community by its PRO, Hon. Davidson Ogbu Tabel said the president’s intervention became inevitable in view of the deplorable conditions of the inmates in Abidjan prisons.
In the statement which reads in part, Tabel said, “Many are being detained for wrong offenses and we understand that some are already dying in prison custody. As a Nigerian community in Côte d’Ivoire, we have been trying our best day and night to ensure we help our brothers but we believe our government can make it faster with our host country.
“Not many people in prison are criminals, some got there wrongly, while some are overdue for release because of some clauses which can only be from the government. We believe in the government of President Bola Ahmed and we are hoping that the government will attend to this issue in Côte d’Ivoire.”
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Tabel further revealed that the Nigerian community is stabilised under the leadership of High Chief Micheal and has vowed to deal with issues surrounding Nigerians in the country.
“We are doing our best in the Nigerian community to maintain law and order among our brothers and sisters, we respect the laws of the host country and as a matter of fact, the president has ensured he treats issues surrounding Nigerians accordingly.
“The president general of the Nigerian community has repatriated over 600 girls since he assumed office in 2021. Most Nigerians are being trafficked to this country, and this is not good for our image here. When the president assumed office in 2021, he made a vow that he was going to address the issues that Nigerians are facing.”
“The government of High Chief Michael Emeka Ownuchelu also achieved the introduction of the Biometric Identification system called (Carte Consulaire Biométrique) valid ID cards issued to Nigerians living in Côte d’Ivoire. All these were done in support of the Nigerian Embassy.”
He advised the Nigerian government to include the Diaspora Fund in the subsequent budget in Nigeria.
“The fact remains that many of these representatives in Nigerian communities across Africa are spending their money to empower Nigerians in various countries. It is something the federal government should look at. They have been assisting the growth of Nigeria without means of funding. For example, many times President Michael Emeka had used his money to deport young girls back home against trafficking, sex prostitution, rape and others. He provides them accommodation, feeding and lots more.”
The Nigerian community is accepted and recognized by the Côté Ivoire government.