On Thursday, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, warned Nigerians against relocating to Northern Cyprus due to the country's treatment of Nigerians in violation of their human rights.
She also emphasised that the country, which is solely recognised by Turkiye, lacked effective legal frameworks that would have allowed the Federal Government to seek retribution for the deaths of several Nigerian students in the de facto state.
Dabiri-Erewa made this statement at the 48th State House Ministerial Media Briefing, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and hosted by the Presidential Communications Team.
Officially called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Northern Cyprus is a de facto state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus.
Recognised only by Turkiye, Northern Cyprus is primarily considered by the United Nations and the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that several Nigerians are being maltreated and killed in the region, said, “Think twice before going to Northern Cyprus. We can’t do much for Nigerians there. Our students are being killed daily.”
She added that every Nigerian stranded in Ukraine at the start of the conflict returned home safely.
Students psychologically affected by the conflict underwent proper counselling before continuing their education either online or onsite by enrolling on local Universities to continue their programmes.