Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), yesterday, warned government ministries, agencies, embassies, and high commissions to beware of fake groups with sinister and ulterior political motives, parading as diaspora groups.

A statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, gave the warning in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan.

He mentioned, specifically, a group, Nigeria Diaspora Forum (NDF), which claimed it has established an office in Abuja for the welfare of Nigerians in diaspora.

He said: “The so-called forum, an arm of Labour Party, masquerading as a diaspora group, is not even registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“We are aware that all registered political parties including the ruling party, APC, PDP, SDP, NNPP and even LP, have diaspora chapters and support groups outside the country and do work to promote and champion their party ideals.

“It is equally sinister that an unregistered body with the Corporate Affairs Commission will fraudulently and boldly announce the setting up of an office to oversee the welfare of Nigerians in diaspora in Abuja.”

According to him, it is, no doubt, an attempt by the group to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public, ministries, departments and agencies, embassies, high commissions, state and local governments.

“We hereby advise all government agencies at both federal and state levels and the diplomatic community to always double check with NIDCOM the status of such groups, as NIDCOM has a data base of all registered diaspora groups.

“NIDCOM is using this opportunity to also remind all that states have diaspora focal persons, who are readily available to handle issues relating to their diaspora,” the statement added.