The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to the German government not to repatriate approximately 12,000 alleged illegal migrants in Germany to Nigeria, as he believes such an action could exacerbate security challenges in the country.
Akpabio made this plea on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther, in Abuja.
In her statement, Gunther emphasized the potential for collaboration between the two countries, given their status as significant economies in their respective continents. She highlighted Nigeria’s position as Germany’s second-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
Responding, Akpabio acknowledged Nigeria’s ongoing security concerns and urged Germany to collaborate on security and power sectors, aiming to enhance Nigeria’s socio-political development.
He specifically asked for assistance from Germany in addressing security challenges, emphasizing the need for international support in preventing the escalation of issues like Boko Haram in the North East. Akpabio also urged Germany to reconsider the deportation of 12,000 illegal migrants from Nigeria, expressing concerns that such actions could contribute to increased insecurity in the country.
