Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM, has published the identities of Nigerians slain in Northern Cyprus from 2016 to the present.
The NIDCOM boss made this revelation in a statement signed by the Commission’s spokesman, Abdur- Rahman Balogun, on Thursday, in response to a letter allegedly written by the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, Hidayet Bayraktar, disputing earlier claims by Dabiri-Erewa about threats to Nigerians living in Northern Cyprus.
The NIDCOM chief had earlier decried the terrible event of deaths of Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus and warned Nigerians, particularly prospective students, to avoid coming to such country because it is not recognized by the international community other than Turkey.
The NIDCOM boss and her staff allegedly visited the Turkish Embassy twice to address concerns concerning Nigerians in Turkey and Northern Cyprus, but to no avail.
Dabiri-Erewa, who noted that majority of the fatalities documented in Northern Cyprus since 2016 had gone unresolved, named the following individuals.
Mr. Ibrahim Khaleel Bello (25) is the son of Kaduna State High Court Justice Amina Ahmad Bello (2020). 2. Kennedy Taomwabwa Dede, a 28-year-old student at Eastern Mediterranean University, was murdered on February 1, 2018.
Walshak Augustine Ngok, a Near East University Marine Engineering student, was killed on April 19, 2019. 4. Gabriel Soriwei is a first-year Electrical Electronics student at Cyprus International University in Nicosia.
Osabanjo Adeola Owoyale, 33, went missing and was later discovered dead on July 1, 2019. 6.Augustine Wallies was assassinated on April 19, 2019. Eteimo, Stanley (28). 8. Mr. Hassan Babatunde (28). 9. Temitayo Adigun, age ten. 11. Kubiat Abasi Abraham Okon, 12 years old 13. Oziegbe Gospower Airekugose Olasubomi Ope, to name a few.
She stated that the previous comment was an advise, which is consistent with Nigerian diplomacy. “One has the option to either key into it or disregard it,” he says, adding that it should not be seen as hyperbole or an attempt to frighten away potential visitors to Northern Cyprus.
However, NIDCOM Boss called to Turkish Embassy to do everything it can to safeguard Nigerians in Northern Cyprus, particularly students, hoping that the reaction to recent comments will elicit favorable and pro active reaction from the Embassy.
“Whether it is Nigerians killing Nigerians or drug-related crimes, there is some type of threat originating from Northern Cyprus,” Dabiri-Erewa remarked, referring to the Ambassador’s letter, which stated:
“I do not deny that certain terrible criminal acts occurred in the TRNC, as they do in any other region of the world.” However, such instances are not on a regular basis, and all of these situations are treated seriously and properly examined by TRNC authorities.”
“Moreover, because Nigerian residents are frequently not only victims but also perpetrators of crimes committed in the TRNC, relevant agencies would take the necessary steps to prevent young Nigerians and other students from becoming victims.”
She went on to say that the Commission is concerned about its responsibility to monitor the safety and well-being of Nigerians, and she is relieved that the Ambassador has agreed to take “required actions.”
She asked citizens to always follow the law wherever they go and to be good ambassadors for the country. “Nigeria would not fold its arms and allow her nationals to be harassed or killed in unjustified manner when pursuing knowledge in a foreign place.
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