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The criminal activities of some Nigerians are again putting the country in the news for the wrong reasons; subjecting law-abiding citizens to restrictions that other countries should not. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have imposed visa restrictions on Nigerian travelers following a recent cult clash between two Nigerian rival groups, Eiye and Aiye, in the Sharjah region of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE government’s decision is said to be based on a recently circulated video; a group of men with machetes are seen yelling in an apartment car park, chasing each other and vandalising public property.
Dubai Police said in a statement on July 21 that the suspects, who are of African descent, have opened criminal cases against them and will be referred to prosecutors.
The latest humiliation of Nigerians comes just a year after the UAE announced a suspension of Nigerian visas, as two rival cults, BlackAxe and Aromate Group, also known as Barggas, also clashed in Sharjah. This particular brawl resulted in casualties, including the alleged number one leader of the Aromate group.
Remember that Iyer and the Iyer cult who recently traveled to Dubai to fight had clashes in Ogun state that lasted more than a week.
Today, the cult is one of the challenges threatening the relative peace in parts of the country. It is increasingly appealing to lonely, anxious and troubled young people who are often caught up in social media networks.
Commenting on the issue, Ms. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Committee (NIDCOM), said that while the UAE authorities recently issued new guidelines for visa applications for persons under 40 years of age, many Nigerians are trying to circumvent the guidelines for applying for family visas. The new visa regime stops issuing tourist visas to those under 40, with the exception of those applying for family visas. Other guidelines include six months of genuine bank statements, accommodation details, a valid residential address, and return air tickets, which must be presented on arrival. However, when family visas are issued to Nigerian applicants, some of them travel alone and arrive without family members. This is why some Nigerian passengers have been repatriated from Dubai airports over the past few weeks.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Nigerians to respect the UAE government’s new visa regulations. “The Nigerian Mission in Dubai clarified that most of the Nigerians allegedly stranded were granted family visas, only in the absence of any family members,” said Francisca K. Omayuli, a spokesperson for the ministry. arrived in Dubai alone. As a result, they were refused entry and were advised to return to their home countries and apply for appropriate visas. However, those who were allowed to enter the country had family members in the UAE. Those who claimed their family members were on other flights They were told to wait for their arrival at the airport.”
It is a serious national embarrassment for some unscrupulous citizens to export their nefarious activities to other countries, which are equally criminal even in their native Nigeria. Respect for the law is neither time-bound nor limited. Compliance with the law is a universal civic duty, which is why we expect Nigerian citizens, as tourists or residents, to respect the laws of their country.
While countries reserve the right to accept or reject any visa application, the entire age group of a country should not be considered criminals. The majority should not be punished for the crimes of the few, a clear message from the visa ban on Nigerians under the age of 40. Of course, not all Nigerians are cultists or ritualists. While we encourage UAE authorities to properly prosecute Nigerians found to be in breach of their laws in accordance with existing legal provisions, we strongly oppose any measures aimed at instant stereotyping of Nigerians, as such measures would violate bilateral principles.
NIDCOM is advised to wake up and go beyond the press statements that are typically issued every time a diaspora crisis arises. The Committee is urged to work in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and dialogue with the UAE authorities with a view to removing measures that discriminate against all Nigerians in certain age groups, and calls for restrictions that do not absolutely rule out the real travel reasons for law-abiding Nigerians to obtain visas.
The Daily Trust likewise advises prospective visa applicants to clearly state their visa preferences, not to be vague, and to respect the immigration laws of other countries to avoid abuse by national authorities.
We also encourage parents to devote more time and energy to the moral development of their children than to their careers or jobs to prevent our teens from being drawn to dangerous activities like cults. Most importantly, it is time for our security agencies to root out cults and other criminal gangs in the country.
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