The Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in the Republic of Seychelles and Worldwide have decried the stigmatisation of well-meaning and law-abiding Nigerian nationals resident in the Republic over the activities with a few criminal elements.
The Diasporan Nigerians raised their concerns in a statement issued on Thursday, titled: “Plight Of Law Abiding Nigerians Residing In Seychelles.”
The umbrella body of Nigerians in the African country promised to report any Nigerian resident in Seychelles found to be involved in any criminal activities to the police and other law enforcement agencies, and appealed to Seychellois authorities to engage with it and the Nigerian authorities to work out strategies that would be of benefit to all concerned.
NIDO Seychelles stated that it was greatly dismayed by the stereotyping and stigmatisation of law-abiding Nigerian nationals resident in Seychelles were passing through, insisting that a few criminal elements don’t represent over 200 million Nigerians worldwide.
“First of all, NIDO and Nigerians in Seychelles wish to categorically state on record that we strongly denounce and dissociate ourselves from the criminal activities of some unscrupulous elements regardless of where they come from.
“We want the government and people of Seychelles to know that these criminally minded persons do not, and cannot be made to represent Nigeria and Nigerians, a country with a population of over 200 million people.
“As a law-abiding association, representing well-meaning Nigerians engaged in various lawful endeavors, we have mechanisms that guarantee that our members remain law-abiding and continue to contribute positively to the progress and prosperity of Seychelles.
“Therefore, we reiterate our commitment to ensure that any Nigerian resident whom we ascertain may be involved in any criminal activities will be reported to the Police and other law enforcement agencies,” NIDO stated.
It added, “It is, therefore, most unfortunate that NIDO has learned of the general stigmatization of law-abiding Nigerians by the Seychellois authorities Nigerians with no criminal records are presently facing victimization, including deportation. GOPs of hardworking Nigerians are not being renewed. NIDO has seen letters written by companies employing Nigerians stating that the policy of the Government is not to renew the GOPs of any Nigerians going forward.
“It appears that there is a policy of systematically removing law-abiding Nigerians from Seychelles.
“While empathizing with the concerns of the Seychellois authorities, NIDO is seriously concerned that well-meaning, law-abiding Nigerians, some of whom have been residents in Seychelles for many years, are now being tainted with the brush of criminality and made to pay for the sins of a few criminally minded countrymen and women.”
“NIDO urges the Seychellois authorities to engage with it and the Nigerian authorities to work out strategies that will be of benefit to all concerned. NIDO will continue its efforts to engage with the authorities to revamp the image of Nigerians in Seychelles and Nigeria generally,” the statement partly read.
