Senate calls for investigation of foreign nationals maltreating Nigerians

The Senate has called for the investigation of foreign nationals in Nigeria who maltreat and torture Nigerians.

The call followed the unanimous adoption of a motion titled ‘Urgent Need to Check the Alarming Trend of Inhuman Treatment and Torture of Nigerian Citizens by Foreign Nationals in the Country’, which was moved by Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo at the plenary on Tuesday.

Degi-Eremienyo alleged that a Lebanese ordered some of his Nigerian subordinates to gag the mouths of one Mr Anayo Friday Ndubuisi and a late Chadian with rags to stifle any noise from them, in a bid to get a confession from the victims alleged to have stolen iron rods.

Degi-Eremienyo alleged that they were beaten mercilessly with iron rods, tied to a car and driven round their premises.

He said, “The Lebanese also set his dog upon the victims and the said dog attacked them.

“The second Nigerian – a security personnel – on trying to defend and absolve Anayo Friday Ndubuisi from any allegation whatsoever, was shot with an arrow, thereby leading to grievous bodily harm.

“Some suspects have been arrested and paraded by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in connection with this nauseating crime against humanity but without the Lebanese being equally apprehended or paraded.

“The Senate is surprised that certain insinuations have been made by some concerned security authorities involved in the matter, that since the late Chadian was an illegal migrant, little or nothing can be done about the case.”

The lawmaker stated that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act provides protection for foreigners such as the late Chadian, irrespective of their immigration status.

Degi-Eremienyo said the Senate is alarmed about the despicable level of gross subjugation of Nigerians in their own country by some foreign nationals, noting that this type of incident has become “one too many and must be urgently checked to preserve sanctity and dignity of human life at all times.”

Adopting the motion, the Senate condemned “in the strongest of terms” the dastardly acts committed against the victims.

The Senate, therefore, called on the IGP to commence a thorough investigation of the Lebanese in question, his dog and similar infractions by other foreign nationals, “acting by themselves or in collusion with Nigerians or members of the Nigeria Police Force.”

The chamber also demanded prosecution of those found culpable in accordance with the provisions of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.

The lawmakers further urged the Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity as well as relevant agencies to take adequate steps to address the labour-related issues in respect of the case and similar ones, and to ensure that the rising trend of crime and criminality is curbed.