Citizens of some African countries, including Ghana, obtain Nigerian passport to perpetrate crime in various countries, Yusuf Hinna, a non-career amba
Citizens of some African countries, including Ghana, obtain Nigerian passport to perpetrate crime in various countries, Yusuf Hinna, a non-career ambassadorial nominee, has alleged. He said this while responding to questions at his screening by the senate committee on foreign affairs in Abuja on Tuesday.
He told the lawmakers that some of the criminal activities carried out in several countries of the world were by nationals of other African countries who hold Nigerian passports, and not by Nigerian citizens as often believed. He said if confirmed, he would embark on continuous screening to determine citizenship and eligibility for obtaining the Nigeria passport.
On xenophobia, Hinna said if confirmed and posted to South Africa, for instance, he would engage the country’s government in order to stop the harassment” of Nigerians living in the country.
“There are dislikes against Nigerians in South Africa. When Nigerians arrive, police dogs are used to sniff them at the airport,” he said.
“If I am sent to such a country, I will engage the government so as to stop unwanted harassment. However, I recall that some Africans such as Ghanaians were arrested and they were carrying Nigeria passports. There is abuse of our green passports. There are security challenges, and we have to tackle them.”
On threat to world peace, the nominee said nuclear weapons are dangerous to world affairs. Hinna also spoke on the rise of different militant groups, particularly in Nigeria, who pose danger to the security of lives and property. He called on the federal government to curtail activities of such groups so as to protect the country against security threats greater than that currently posed by Boko Haram.
