Kenyan Authorities Arrest 26 Nigerians for Visa Violations, Other Crimes

Kenyan Authorities Arrest 26 Nigerians for Visa Violations, Other Crimes

The authorities in Kenya have arrested and detained 26 Nigerians for alleged breach of visa laws, and for not having valid documents to back up their stay in the country.

In a statement given on Tuesday by the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jane Adams, some of the Nigerians nabbed last Saturday were reportedly indicted for criminal activities, including advance fee fraud.

While noting that the Kenyan authorities acted in accordance with their domestic laws, the MFA also assures that the Nigerian High Commission in Nairobi was working round the clock to bring the matter to an agreeable end, Punch writes.

“It (Nigerian High Commission in Nairobi) has found that the Immigration Authority of Kenya acted in accordance with their domestic laws regarding the arrest and subsequent removal of illegal immigrants by cracking down on foreigners whose visas had lapsed, but who had continued to remain in Kenya illegally,” the statement said.

The MFA seized the opportunity to reiterate the Federal Government’s stand against all acts of criminality, including illegal migration, and urged Nigerian immigrants to be law-abiding and to desist from any action capable of tarnishing the image of the country.

Furthermore, the ministry said it would continue engaging countries of residence of all Nigerians abroad to ensure they were treated with dignity and respect in accordance with minimum standards across the globe.

It will be recalled that about 50 Nigerian students were arrested and detained over a month ago in Turkey on vague accusations of having a connection with a dissenting Sheikh in the European nation.

The incident almost led to a diplomatic row between both countries, though same isn’t expected here given the many ties that bind Nigeria and Kenya.