The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has welcomed the completion of the prisoner transfer agreement between Nigeria and Ethiopia, describing it as a humanitarian gesture that safeguards the dignity and rights of Nigerian citizens abroad.
Reacting to the development in a post on X on Monday, Obi commended the collaborative efforts of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, as well as Ethiopian authorities, for successfully concluding the process that facilitated the transfer of the affected inmates.
He said the arrangement reflects the responsibility of governments to protect the rights and dignity of their citizens regardless of where they are located.
While applauding the outcome of the negotiations, Obi expressed sadness over reports that at least four Nigerians died in custody before the transfer was completed.
READ ALSO: FG, Ethiopia Finalise Deal To Transfer Over 100 Nigerian Prisoners
According to him, the reported deaths underscore the human toll of prolonged diplomatic and administrative procedures, as well as the grief suffered by families who lost loved ones far from home.
The former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians to look beyond the immediate circumstances of the prisoner exchange and consider the factors that drove many of those involved to leave the country in the first place.
He noted that a significant number of the affected individuals were young Nigerians who travelled abroad in search of better opportunities, adding that the development should prompt deeper reflection on the country’s socio-economic realities.
Although he stressed the importance of respecting the laws of host countries, Obi questioned the conditions that continue to compel many young Nigerians to seek livelihoods outside the country under difficult circumstances.
“While we commend this humanitarian intervention, it serves as a reminder of a larger systemic crisis. The overwhelming majority of these citizens are young Nigerians. A significant number were arrested while transiting through Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport in search of green pastures.
“While we must continuously urge our citizens to remain law-abiding and respect the laws of host nations wherever they travel or reside, we must also ask ourselves a hard question: What drives our young and productive population into desperate circumstances across the globe?, he said.
He argued that creating jobs, improving access to quality education and building a system that rewards hard work are critical to addressing the root causes of migration and reducing the risks associated with it.
Obi also called for proper handling of the returning inmates as they continue serving their sentences in Nigeria, emphasising the need for effective rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
He said the prisoner transfer should serve not only as a humanitarian intervention but also as a reminder of the need to build a nation that protects, values and empowers its citizens.
The Federal Government recently announced a prisoner transfer agreement with Ethiopia that will than 100 Nigerians serving jail terms in the East African country transferred to Nigeria.
The post Obi Hails Nigeria-Ethiopia Prisoner Transfer, Mourns Nigerians Who Died In Custody appeared first on Channels Television.
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