From Steve Oko, Umuahia
A group known as Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, has raised an alarm over the ills of the proposed ‘No Visa Entry’ policy of President Muhammadu Buhari due to take effect from January 2020.
According to COSEYL, the policy if not discarded, would expose Nigeria to greater security threats and lead to uncontrollable influx of terrorists to the country.
COSEYL in a press release jointly signed by its
President General, Chief Goodluck Egwu Ibem; and Secretary General, Comrade Kanice Igwe; said the ill-advised policy would lead to population explosion as aliens would troop into the country without restrictions, thus leading to hunger and possible outbreak of diseases.
The statement made available to The AUTHORITY in Umuahia read in full :
“The opening of Nigerian borders by President Muhammadu Buhari for other African countries to enter into Nigeria without any visa or any documents (passports) is a very dangerous policy that will lead to insecurity, hunger, anarchy, over-population, suffering and unhindered operation of terrorist groups in Nigeria.
“This policy if not stopped immediately will lead to a situation where terrorists groups like Boko Haram, ISIS and other terrorists organizations will come into Nigeria and kill many people as possible and go back to where they came from without arrest.
“The country is already overpopulated with people and animals and we don’t have enough food to feed the people who are citizens of Nigeria. It makes no sense opening our borders for foreigners who have no identity or whatsoever to come in and finish the little food in the country.
“These people within the last few weeks the borders where opened have already taken over places like Ebonyi state and some northern state in the country. Indigenes of these states can’t move freely again in their communities and towns for fear of being attacked by foreigners and aliens who they know nothing about.
“It is anti-people policy to open the border for unknown foreigners to enter the country when the same border was closed against entry of goods and services in-and-out of the country. The border closure has made it impossible for exporters to export Nigerian made goods out of the country and importers of raw materials for our local industries can no longer do so.
“The truth is that the ‘no visa entry into Nigeria’ does no have any merit or any economic advancement for the country. But rather, it will put the country in a serious economic and security mess . If this policy is not stopped immediately it will lead to economic downturn.
“The advisers of Mr President should as a matter of urgency let him know the dangers associated with entry of criminals and urchins from other countries into Nigeria.
“No country anywhere in the world will leave it’s borders wide open for foreigners to come in unchecked . Any country that opens its borders the way Mr. President just did , is calling for a disastrous situation that will consume the country.
“Nigeria may not survive the resultant effect of the ‘no visa entry policy’ if it is not stopped now.
“This policy is a great disservice to Nigerian Soldiers, Police men, Air Force and other security agencies who died in active service to the country fighting the Boko Haram terrorists and bandits . The only way we as a country can honour those soldiers and other security personnel who died fighting the Boko Haram terrorists and bandits is to stop the no-visa entry policy that will lead to entry of more terrorists and bandits into the country.
“You cannot see where terrorist is written on anybody’s face or any parts of his body. You can never tell the identity of someone by looking at his or her face.
“Currently over 10 million immigrants have entered into the country through our borders without any form of identity . These could mean entry of 10 million terrorists in the country. The Nigerian soldiers, Air Force, Police and other security agencies have not been able to stop or eradicate the boko Haram terrorists and other bandits that have sacked many communities in Zamfara state, Borno state and other Northern states and we are opening our doors for more terrorists and bandits to enter the country.
“We call on Mr. President, to as a matter of urgency, rescind this policy and send back those who have already entered the country without any visa for the security and well-being of Nigerians.”
