Poor treatment of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia

The recent return of hundreds of Nigerians that had been stranded in Saudi Arabia for months before they were repatriated at the end of January and the state in which they had been camped ahead of their return are issues that should not be casually glossed over by the Nigerian government.

It is even more telling when their situation was to be further compounded by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic which necessarily places a burden on state and non-state actors to be more humane in their treatment of people, and notably foreign residents within their shores.

The tales of poor treatment narrated by the returnees demand an investigation, and explanation, and thereafter an apology and perhaps compensation when the determination process is concluded.

Saudi Arabia and indeed every other nation in the world need to be reminded that Nigeria is a sovereign entity and its citizens must also be fairly treated according to law and established best practices.

We urge the Nigerian Foreign Ministry to be up and doing on this score. They should also be more prompt and proactive in resolving issues related to the plight of Nigerians in foreign lands.

Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister