…asks Buhari to reverse the contentious policy
THE Igbo National Council (INC) has described the Federal Government’s free Visa policy for African immigrants as ‘a sabotage to Nigeria’s economy and threat to national security.’
This was contained in a statement released on Thursday and signed by the group’s president and secretary-general, Chilos Godsent and Zulu Ofoelue, respectively.
INC which noted that the policy was a misplaced priority, said it has taken time to ‘study the socioeconomic and security implications of such policy on Nigeria and its citizens especially with the recent increase in nefarious activities of local and international terrorist organizations in Nigeria and Africa at large.’
The group said it was regrettable that a time when other African countries are putting heads together to improve their internal security structure, strengthen their economy, combat terrorism and reinforce the protection of their citizens against alien invasion of terrorists, Nigeria is busy opening her doors to welcome them.
“You will notice that in the recent times, local bandits and terrorist groups like Boko Haram and their likes has pledged their loyalty to ISIS, etc, in a bid to acquire more international support from ISIS and also to strengthen their capacity for armed combats geared towards merciless killings and invasion of ethnic nationalities in countries of their choice.
“Unfortunately, since that regrettable announcement of Visa Free Policy by the Nigerian government, we have noticed huge influx of international terrorists such as foreign Fulani Herdsmen in some States in Eastern Nigeria and the Middle Belt region, especially Benue, Ebonyi and Enugu States respectively.
“Sources also had it that from January 2020 onwards there will be more shipment of foreign Fulani Herdsmen to many states in Southern Nigeria. This can only be prevented if the various state governments and their people rise up against the menace,” the statement added.
Warning of the imminent dangers ‘illegal migration’ poses on the socioeconomic and security life of the country, INC called on state governors as well as other leaders and stakeholders to prevail on the president to reverse the controversial policy.
It said: “In view of the above, INC therefore calls the various State Governors to join the calls to persuade President Buhari to reverse the Visa Free Policy for African Immigrants.
“In addition, we are calling on the various State Houses of Assemblies in Eastern Nigeria to start passing anti-grazing laws as a legal framework to protect our indigenous lands against any form of criminal acquisition through shadow powers and their allies.
“INC will not take it lightly with any group or groups purported to be warming up or planning to invade any part of the Eastern Nigeria in a bid to confiscate our lands, decimate our cultural heritage and kill our people.
“Finally, INC calls on President Mohammadu Buhari to rise up in defense of the Nigeria Constitution by reversing this contentious Visa Free Policy for African Immigrants as the policy is capable of causing more economic damages and treat to the security of Nigerians.”
