The Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has expressed astonishment over the return of some previously repatriated Nigerian girls to Mali.
In a video posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, titled “Addressing the video circulating on Nigerian girls in a prison in Mali,” Dabiri-Erewa expressed her concern. She highlighted that despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive to bring back stranded Nigerians abroad, citizens should refrain from criminal activities and irregular migration.
She stated, “I want to address a viral video where some girls are seen shouting from a prison in Mali, asking to be returned home. Not long ago, the Chief of Defence Staff assisted us in repatriating about 40 girls. Shockingly, some of those repatriated have managed to return to Mali.”
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that while President Tinubu has mandated the safe return of stranded Nigerians, it is wrong to engage in criminal acts. She clarified that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) oversees the multi-agency team responsible for evacuations, adding that the NSA’s office has been actively repatriating citizens.
“We urge Nigerians to respect the laws of other countries,” she continued, adding that “crime, criminality, and irregular migration are dangerous paths to tread, and sometimes, where you’re running to may be worse than where you’re running from.”
In response to the video, several users on X shared their opinions. One user, Olufsen, tweeted, “We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Those who return to hostile places should be held accountable. We must stop encouraging bad behavior.”
Another user, tweeting as @KazanOgbomon, wrote, “Some of them are victims of circumstances. If Tinubu makes Nigeria more livable, people wouldn’t be forced to search for a better life abroad.”
Similarly, Yoruba Ronu Thoroughbred, using the handle #Iledare, questioned the rehabilitation process, tweeting, “How do we rehabilitate them when they return? Maybe this is why some end up going back.”
In September 2024, NiDCOM spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun reported that over 10,000 Nigerians had been evacuated from Libya through collaborative efforts between the Nigerian government and international agencies.
