Avoid Northern Cyprus where about 20 Nigerians have been killed, FG warns

Says insecurity won’t affect diaspora investments

The Federal Government, yesterday, dismissed the fears of Nigerians in the diaspora that their business interests in the country might be jeopardised by the prevailing insecurity.

It also warned citizens, especially in the diaspora, to avoid Northern Cyprus in their quest for greener pastures, adding that about 20 Nigerians have met their untimely death in the region.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made the disclosure during the Ministerial Media Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

While acknowledging insecurity in parts of Nigeria, she said the development is temporary, noting that authorities are working hard to solve the problem. She said security agencies have been addressing the situation by recent bombardment of terrorists’ hideouts.

Dabiri-Erewa also assured the diaspora community of great return on investment, given the new enabling environment being created by authorities.

Giving update on the commission’s activities, the NiDCOM chairman regretted the frequency in killings of Nigerians in foreign lands, especially in Northern Cyprus, with no practical intervention from officials of that country because of the political situation in the European enclave.

She said little could be done diplomatically to resolve the plight of Nigerians in that country because Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey in the international community.

She said: “Officially called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, it is a de facto state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus. Recognised only by Turkey, Northern Cyprus is largely considered by the United Nations and the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus.

“Think twice before going to Northern Cyprus. We can’t do much for Nigerians there. Our students are being killed daily.”
Dabiri-Erewa praised Nigerians in the diaspora for continued support to the development of the country, despite its security challenges.

She said they committed $20 billion in 2021 alone in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). “The $20 billion dollars is for 2021. In 2019, we had $25 billion; 2020, $17 billion and, last year, $20 billion,” she added.