Posted by Nigerians who claim to be stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are ex-convicts, according to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
She claims that many of the impacted individuals have not been completely forthcoming since they have disregarded the established protocols.
She also disclosed that the former inmates had just completed their separate jail terms.
This was said by Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa in a statement released yesterday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the commission's head of media, public relations, and protocols.
The declaration reads:
“The Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM has warned Nigerians who entered the UAE illegally and are currently stranded there not to exacerbate an already dire situation by using media blackmail.
“The NIDCOM boss said it was regrettable that some Nigerians still found themselves as victims of this irregular act despite several warnings by the Federal Government through its relevant agencies on consequences of illegal migration to the UAE and other countries, apparently in response to a post that read, “300 Nigerians abandoned in Dubai as NIDCOM, NAPTIP, and Foreign Affairs relax evacuation effort” on some social media blogs on Wednesday.
“The Federal Government has authorized the evacuation of more than 300 Nigerians who were stuck in the UAE in accordance with its citizens' diplomacy. Unfortunately, many of those affected haven't been completely helpful, refusing to obey the rules set forth.
Investigations also showed that over 100 Nigerians who had served a variety of jail terms (for offenses like drug possession, credit card fraud, and robberies, among others) had unexpectedly arrived at the holding facilities and were pleading with the Nigerian Consulate in Dubai to “immediately bring them back.” The loudest voices have been theirs.
“Dabiri-Erewa said some Nigerians were busy pursuing a media blackmail of the Federal Government as well as the UAE government, rather than complying with the directions of the Nigerian Consulate in Dubai.”
She claimed that this media blackmail would exacerbate an already troubling situation and that standards governing such circumstances would not be disregarded.