Germany to Deport 12,000 Nigerian Asylum Seekers

The German government plans to repatriate 12,000 Nigerians who are seeking asylum in the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed this on Tuesday at the public presentation of two books “From Libya with Tears’’ and “Practical News and Feature Writing’’ written by former Managing Editor/Director of News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Dele Bodunde.

Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa, represented by her Special Assistant on Media, Mr Abdul-Rahman Balogun, said that the German Embassy in Nigeria had intimated her office on plans to repatriate no fewer than 12,000 Nigerian asylum seekers from the European country.

The presidential aide further said that about 128 Nigerians died while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. She described the situation as unfortunate, noting that it showed Nigerians desperation to get to Europe by all means.

“Just some days ago, 128 Nigerians died in the Mediterranean sea out of 576. Most of them were from West African countries and they were on their way to Europe.

“Now, this is an unfortunate incident and I think it is better to remain in Nigeria and keep struggling, instead of making desperate journeys that could take their lives,’’ the presidential aide said.

Dabiri-Erewa said some Nigerians had been trapped in Libya and were subjected to various inhuman treatments and that only the intervention of the Federal Government had ensured the return of many.