The Nigerian government’s intervention has saved its citizens who were travelling to Nigeria via the Gnassigbe Eyadema International Airport, Togo.
A video that went viral over the weekend showed the Nigerians being manhandled by some Togolese security agents.
According to the travellers, they left the US en route to Nigeria and had to stop over in Togo for a connecting flight.
However, they were told by the Ethiopian Airline authorities that the plane was full so they wouldn’t be continuing the journey. This got the Nigerians angry and they started protesting. The Togolese security agents came in and forcefully arrested them.
The telephones of all the passengers were allegedly seized and it appeared as though the ill treatment of the Nigerian nationals would go unattended to before the timely intervention of the foreign affairs minister Geoffrey Onyeama and other top Nigerian government officials.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esther Sunsuwa, said that “We will take action against this ill treatment; it can’t just go like that. The Embassy there has already reported to appropriate authorities so let wait and see the outcome.”
Minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama had intervened to resolve the near diplomatic crisis between Nigeria and Togo over Saturday’s shabby treatment of the Nigerians Airport.
According to a report sent by the special assistant to the minister, Sarah Sanda, Onyeama, who is far away in Istanbul, Turkey as part of the delegation of President Muhammadu Buhari to the third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit being hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, responded swiftly to the sad development concerning the plight of the stranded Nigerians.
Reacting to the development too, the Embassy of Nigeria in Lome, Togo, registered its displeasure with the host country over the maltreatment of the Nigerians, stating that it was totally unacceptable and not in accordance with international best practices.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Togo, Debo Adesina, in a statement released, stated that through concerted efforts by the mission in its engagement with relevant Togolese officials, the matter is being addressed.
See also
- Nigerian Govt disburses N56.8B to 1 million MSMEs
- Nigerian Govt Investigates British Role In Nnamdi Kanu’s Escape
- Nigerian Govt Stops #EndSars Activist From Leaving Country
He stated that immediately the incident was reported, he and his officials were at the airport on Saturday and took up the matter until it was resolved and all the passengers were successfully evacuated on two flights.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Esther Sunsuwa also confirmed to The Nation that the matter was resolved Saturday night and the passengers were conveyed to Nigeria the same night.
