Reps move to save 250 Nigerians in Ethiopian prison, summon Tuggar, Dabiri
The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, over the incarceration of Nigerians in Ethiopian prisons.
The development was a sequel to a motion moved by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and others on Thursday.
Moving the motion, Chinda said 250 Nigerians are currently incarcerated in Ethiopia.
According to the lawmaker, some of the detainees were arrested while using Ethiopia as a transit point.
He noted that there is general victimization and maltreatment of Nigerians in the East African country.
“Some Nigerians are currently serving at the Chaota Maximum Security and other prisons in Ethiopia. Most of them are travellers that use the Ethiopian Airport as a transit point.
“250 Nigerians are currently serving prison terms in Ethiopia and as a result of frequent attacks may die in prison if urgent steps are not taken to save them,” he said.
He warned that urgent intervention is needed to protect Nigerians in the country.
The House, therefore, resolved that Tuggar and Dabiri should appear before the committees on Foreign Affairs, Diaspora and Human Rights.
The committees are to present reports within three weeks
