Stop travelling to Northern Cyprus, Fed Govt warns Nigerians

The Federal Government has advised Nigerians again traveling to Northern Cyprus, citing the human rights abuses meted to Nigerians in the European country.

The Director General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, gave the warning while speaking during the weekly Ministerial Briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

She also warned that the country, which is only recognised by Turkiye, does not have robust mechanisms that would enable the Federal Government to pursue justice for several Nigerian students killed in the de facto state.

Officially called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the country is a de facto state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus.

Recognised only by Turkiye, Northern Cyprus is largely considered by the United Nations (UN) and the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus.

Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa, who noted that several Nigerians were being maltreated and killed in the region, said: “Think twice before going to Northern Cyprus. We can’t do much for Nigerians there. Our students are being killed daily.”

The NiDCOM boss said over 10,000 stranded Nigerians have so far been evacuated, adding that every citizen stranded in Ukraine at the start of the conflict has since returned home safely.

She said students who were psychologically affected by the conflict have undergone proper counselling and continued their education either online or onsite at local universities.

Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa frowned at Diaspora Nigerians who defy warnings not to travel to hostile nations only to turn around and blame the Nigerian government for their predicament in those countries.

The NiDCom boss advised Nigerians to refrain from traveling to the hostile country, saying Nigeria does not have a robust mechanism that would enable the government to pursue justice for Nigerian students and other citizens killed in Northern Cyprus.