The Nigerian Government, represented by Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), disclosed on Friday evening that it had received 103 Nigerians deported from Turkey.
The deportations were carried out due to issues related to expired visas and irregular migration. The deportees were undergoing profiling in Abuja at the time of the announcement.
Amb. Catherine Udida, Director of Migration Affairs in the commission, represented by Ahmed, stated that the commission anticipated 110 deportees but received 103, all of whom are male.
“Some of them have been in the deportation camp for several months, and now that they are here, we aim to investigate all the allegations collected during their profiling.”
“We will review the profiling forms, as some deportees have reported that their passports were confiscated.
We intend to engage with Turkish authorities regarding these passports, as they remain the property of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he assured.
Mr. Bashir Garga, the North-Central Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), assured the returnees of the government’s readiness to support them through collaborative efforts involving all relevant agencies.
Some of the deported Nigerians have denied any wrongdoing or irregularities.
Mr. Arinze Stone, one of the deportees, stated that Turkish authorities arrested and detained him in a camp for approximately six months.
He mentioned that he had been residing in Turkey for several years, engaging in business activities.
“They were arresting people whose papers were not yet renewed or had just expired,” he claimed.
Stone alleged that this situation arose after the European Union began compensating Turkey for handling illegal immigrants, leading to the cessation of resident permit issuance and renewal by the government.
“Every day, the European Union pays 120 Euros per immigrant in the Immigration Camp,” he said.
“Throughout my time in Turkey, I consistently renewed my resident permit. It only expired recently, and Turkish authorities charged me 700 euros for tax and insurance, subsequently canceling the renewal,” he clarified.
Stone further stated that the expected deportation fee of approximately 2,500 Euros per victim was not provided.
Meanwhile, Mr. Moses Emeh, another deportee, revealed that he had operated a registered company in Turkey for more than eight years.
“I also possessed a resident permit that was abruptly cancelled, although I had intended to convert it into a working permit,” he explained.
“I’m unsure where to begin, but I consider this a diplomatic matter and trust our Foreign Affairs Minister to pursue it.
I believe there should also be a sensitisation program for Nigerians still residing in Turkey because the Turkish government is not being upfront and transparent with us,” Emeh asserted.
He recounted being arrested and confined in a dungeon for 11 months and three weeks.
“I was informed that if I did not sign the deportation papers, I would remain in their custody for one to two years.
Afterward, I might be released and presented with immigration documents to sign for reintegration into the system. However, they never followed through on this promise,” he lamented.
“I understand that occupying territory without a permit is illegal, but mine was forcibly terminated twice, and I pursued the matter in court.”
“Since my case was already pending in court and awaiting adjudication, I don’t believe it was right for them to deport me,” he added.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the returnees received dignity kits, starter packs, and stipends to assist them in traveling to their respective destinations.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Iran warns of ‘Obliterating War’ if Israel escalates conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon