The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu, and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to immediately map out an action plan to address the neglect and challenges faced by Nigerians in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
In a letter to the minister, at the weekend, signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the organisation expressed deep concerns over the development, which was reported by Ambassador Martins Adamu.
The group noted that Adamu allegedly openly admitted to prioritising diplomatic matters regarding the welfare of Nigerian citizens.
In the letter, HEDA highlighted significant issues such as communication barriers, limited access to essential embassy services and challenges such as exorbitant prices for National Identification Number (NIN) registration, human trafficking and incarceration.
HEDA urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct a thorough review of the Ambassador’s performance and the alleged neglect of diplomatic responsibilities towards the Nigerian community in Ivory Coast.
Also, the organisation, in a letter to the Director-General, NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, called the agency’s attention to the disturbing reports of Nigerians incarcerated, who are facing challenges such as sexual trafficking. The group said: “We urge NAPTIP to launch a comprehensive investigation into allegations of human trafficking.”
This investigation should aim to identify and dismantle trafficking networks, rescue victims and provide them with necessary support and assistance.”
Additionally, HEDA charged the Chairman, ICPC, Aliyu, to investigate allegations of extortion and corruption in the NIN registration process being conducted by the Nigerian embassy in Abidjan.
It said: “We received a call via our toll-free line on a recent incident where an exorbitant fee of (20,000 CFA, approximately N44,000) had been charged on a Nigerian resident by the embassy for NIN registration, imposing undue financial burden on the Nigerian community.
“We suspect these excessive fees to be a form of corrupt practice, potentially violating relevant Ivorian and Nigerian laws. We, therefore, urge the ICPC to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into these allegations. HEDA demands that the investigation should examine the fee structure, identify discrepancies and determine whether embassy officials are engaging in corrupt practices.”
