THE Federal Government has issued yet another warning to foreign missions operating in the country against any form of maltreatment to Nigerians.
In re-issuing the warning, the government argued that Nigerians who seek for visas to foreign countries deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, who spoke in Abuja at a ministerial platform programme at the weekend, stated that the government would not condone any form of maltreatment against Nigerians both at home and abroad.
He insisted that the rights of all Nigerians must be protected in all circumstances, but warned that the citizens had the responsibility to respect the laws of their host countries.
The minister warned that the government did not have a way of influencing sanctions against erring Nigerians in foreign lands when the laws were willfully flouted.
He said: “We will go to any length to defend any Nigerian treated badly, but when you willfully break their law, the law will take its course.
“All we can do is to monitor proceedings in courts and appeal for clemency. That’s what we can do
“With technology available in all airports abroad, you will be caught when you carry drugs. It must stop.
“We will take action against any embassy that refuses to attend to any Nigerian, but I have not personally received any complaint apart from lies from social media
“We have sought a constructive engagement with the diplomatic and consular agents in Nigeria, especially on the issue of visas to Nigerians. While some improvements have been noticed in this regard, I seize this opportunity to reiterate my appeal to diplomatic and consular missions in Nigeria to treat Nigerians with respect and dignity in their desire to procure entry visas to their respective countries.
