Recently in a radio phone-in programme, a resident of the outskirts of Benin City complained of a trailer load of cows bringing into the state more humans than actual cows at odd hours of the day. Southern Nigerian states have seen this influx of strangers in recent months, and this is causing uneasiness among the people residing in that part of Nigeria.
As we suspect, most of these strangers are foreigners and members of terrorist groups, and greater parts of the people in the affected states have expressed their discontent, especially at a time of rising insecurity. These suspected terrorists are not leaving anyone in doubt as to the extent of havoc they could wreak.
“The insecurity challenge that the Nigerian federation faces, especially the people in the southern part, has called for vigilance and enhanced collaboration among the Nigerian security apparatuses and regional militia groups.”
According to Nigeria travel advice, updated January 30, 2025, avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria, including in Abuja, due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.
This advisory excludes the cities of Calabar and Lagos, where you should exercise a high degree of caution. Also, on December 20, 2024, the US Embassy in Nigeria issued the following security alert: “US Mission Nigeria advises all US citizens there is a heightened risk of terrorism in Nigeria during the holiday season and reminds that Nigeria’s Travel Advisory emphasises a high general risk for both crime and terrorism. Increasing your situational awareness, avoiding predictable routines, and reviewing general security precautions with your family can potentially reduce your chances of becoming a victim.’’
The recent and various attacks in Nigeria have sent chills down the spines of many residents, and it came at a great cost to the nation. It is also on record that in early August 2022, the Department of State Security Service arrested a Boko Haram commander in Ogun State who came to the southwest purposely to set up a kidnapping cell. These are people who move about under the pretence of looking for greener pastures in the southern parts of Nigeria.
Read also: Teleco’s tariff hike seen spurring growth, driving investment
The insecurity challenge that the Nigerian federation faces, especially the people in the southern part, has called for vigilance and enhanced collaboration among the Nigerian security apparatuses and regional militia groups.
The manner in which people come to the southern part of this country makes everyone now a suspect. In the last few weeks, we have been regaled with people coming into southern Nigeria hidden among bags of maize and beans, animal feeds, among others, disguised in different manners.
The majority of arrests have been made in Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, and Osun states and were all allowed to proceed on their journeys, all in the guise of freedom of movement. While admitting that the freedom of movement is everyone’s right, the questions that beg for answers are: why are these people hiding among animals and food sacks if their motives are genuine? Why are some of these people unable to speak the Nigerian Hausa version prevalent in the northern part of Nigeria? Some of them are not indigenous to this country; how did they all come in?
Unemployment is still very high in Nigeria, at over 30 percent. What unique skills are these people bringing into Nigeria, especially the southern part that the indigenes do not have? Therefore, what special value are they bringing on board?
Our position should not be misconstrued, as we are in full support of the freedom of movement, goods and services. However, there are legitimate ways such movements should be done and it should be towards destinations that these travellers will eventually add value.
The current state of the nation demands that the movement of strange faces be well monitored. Many kidnap victims who shared their painful experiences did refer to the foreign origin of some of these kidnappers. Nigerians cannot continue to suffer in their lands from the horror inflicted on them by foreigners and their local collaborators.
An SBM Intelligence report noted that Nigerians who were victims of kidnapping paid about N653.7 million as ransoms between July 2021 and June 2022, while about 500 kidnapping cases were recorded involving 3,420 people, out of whom 564 individuals were killed.
One of the ways to monitor the inflow of strangers in our midst is for each state of the federation to have the biodata of everyone residing in the state. As we believe that it is due to the lack of adequate records on individuals that create the gap that these aliens exploit to the detriment of Nigeria.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
