Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has cautioned Nigerians against ethnic profiling, stating emphatically that “crime has no federal character.”
Speaking during an interview on Arise Newsday on Sunday, Dabiri-Erewa stressed that just as Nigeria urged foreign countries not to stereotype its citizens based on the actions of a few, Nigerians themselves must refrain from judging entire ethnic groups due to the misconduct of a few individuals.
“Anyone who commits a crime should be held accountable and punished accordingly,” she said. “However, the bad actions of a few should not tarnish the image of the many who are law-abiding and responsible.”
The NIDCOM boss reiterated that the Nigerian government is committed to ensuring that no citizen suffers unjustly abroad, while also urging Nigerians in the diaspora to respect the laws of their host countries.
On the recent development in the Central African Republic, Dabiri-Erewa revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the safe return of stranded Nigerians who were rescued and are currently in the custody of the Nigerian Embassy.
She also raised concerns over the recurring cases of human trafficking in Libya, urged Nigerians to avoid falling victim to traffickers and deceptive agents. She called for increased public awareness and stronger media engagement.
“We must tell our own stories,” she said. “Bad news travels fast, but no one will celebrate Nigeria and Nigerians but ourselves.”
