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The attention of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has been
drawn to a letter purportedly written to our Chairman/CEO, Hon. (Dr)
Abike Dabiri-Erewa by His Excellency, Hidayet BAYRAKTAR, Ambassador of
the Republic of Türkiye, on the welfare of Nigerians living in Northern
Cyprus.
2. Firstly, no official letter was received till date in our office
except the unsigned one being circulated in the media. However, we
thank the Ambassador and glad that our recent media briefing has
elicited his response pertaining to the unfortunate incidents in
Northern Cyprus.
3. It will be recalled that Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and a team from
NIDCOM had been to the Turkish Embassy twice to discuss issues related
to Nigerians welfare in Turkey and Northern Cyprus, but got no response
from the Ambassador.
4. It is on record that we received petitions on regular basis from
Nigerians, especially parents whose children had been victims in one way
or the other in Northern Cyprus.
5. Some of the deaths recorded in Northern Cyprus without any resolution
from 2016 till date include:
i. Mr. Ibrahim Khaleel Bello (25) , son of Justice Amina Ahmad Bello of
Kaduna State High Court, 2020.
ii. Kennedy Taomwabwa Dede, 28, student of Eastern Mediterranean
University and was killed on Feb. 1, 2018,
iii. Walshak Augustine Ngok, a student of Marine Engineering at Near
East University, murdered on April 19, 2019.
iv. Gabriel Soriwei, a first year student of Electrical Electronics of
Cyprus International University, Nicosia,
v. Osabanjo Adeola Owoyale, 33, went missing and found dead on July 1,
2019.
vi. Augustine Wallies killed on April 19, 2019,
vii. Stanley Eteimo, ( 28)
viii. Hassan Babatunde, (28)
ix. Temitayo Adigun,
x. Kubiat Abasi
xi. Abraham Okon,
xii. Oziegbe Godspower Airekugose
xiii. Olasubomi Ope.
6. However, we still appeal to the Turkish Embassy to do all they can to
protect Nigerians in Northern Cyprus , particularly, students and we are
optimistic that the reaction to our recent statement would elicit a
positive and pro active reaction from the Embassy.
7. While we pray for the repose of the souls of many students who have
died in mysterious circumstances in Northern Cyprus, we also pray and
hope that only good stories would henceforth emanate from Northern
Cyprus.
8. Above all, what we have given is advisory in line with our citizens
diplomacy. One has option to either key into it or ignore . It should
not be misconstrued as exaggeration or an attempt to scare away
potential travelers to Northern Cyprus
9. Whether it is Nigerians killing Nigerians or drug related crimes,
there is some form of danger emanating from Northern Cyprus as alluded
to in the Ambassador’s letter thus:
“I do not dispute that some unfortunate criminal incidents took place in
the TRNC, as it happens in any part of the world. However, the
occurrence of such incidents is certainly not a daily routine and all
these cases are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly by the TRNC
authorities”
“Moreover, since in many cases, Nigerian citizens are not only victims,
but also perpetrators of crimes committed in the TRNC, necessary measure
will be taken by the relevant agencies in order to prevent young
Nigerians and every other student from falling victims. ”
10. This is our concern as a responsible Commission whose mandate is to
oversee the welfare and well being of Nigerians, and we are glad that
the Ambassador has promised to take “ necessary measures”.
11. In as much as we do advise our citizens to always be law abiding
wherever they find themselves and be good ambassadors of the country,
Nigeria will not fold its arms and allow her citizens to be molested or
killed in any unjustifiable manner while seeking for knowledge in a
foreign land
May we continue to witness peace, love and mutual respect across the
land.
