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On Friday evening, June 28, 103 Nigerian citizens who were deported from Turkey arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. According to The Punch, they landed at 6:45 PM via a Southwind Airlines flight with the registration number TC-GRB. Their arrival marked the end of an 11-month detention period in Turkey, during which they were held without clear reasons before being deported.
Upon their arrival, they were received at the pilgrims’ wing of the airport by officials from various government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the military. The returnees have voiced complaints about their treatment by the Turkish authorities, describing it as unfair and arbitrary. They reported that they were arrested without justification and placed in deportation camps, leading to a plea for intervention from the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The deportees also requested the Nigerian government’s assistance in retrieving their valuables, which they claim were seized during their detention. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of Nigerian citizens abroad and the lack of transparency in deportation practices.
This event has resonated deeply with the Nigerian public, as evidenced by the extensive discussion it has sparked on social media platforms. Users have expressed their sympathy and outrage over the deportees’ reported experiences. One notable account shared by Morris Monye on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted the plight of a Nigerian worker who was deported for sending a message (NSPDD) to a white colleague, which underlines the challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora.
The situation has garnered significant attention, prompting calls for a more robust diplomatic response from the Nigerian government to protect its citizens abroad. The returnees’ appeal to President Tinubu underscores a broader issue regarding the rights and protections of Nigerian nationals working and living overseas, especially in countries where they might be vulnerable to discriminatory practices.
As this situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the federal government will respond to the calls for intervention. The incident not only highlights the need for better support systems for deported citizens but also calls into question the international protocols and agreements between Nigeria and other nations regarding the treatment of detainees and deportees.
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