Nigerians in Chinese Prison

The nation’s image abroad has, once again, been dented by the recent revelation that about 732 Nigerians are currently languishing in Chinese prisons for various offences – overstay, drug trafficking, robbery and fraud. According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joe Keshi, out of this number, 322 are in detention, 304 awaiting deportation and 106 serving various jail terms for drug trafficking, robbery and fraud.

Of late, Nigerians have attracted bad press in Europe, America and other foreign countries because of unwholesome and questionable behaviour exhibited by a few that found themselves in difficult situations abroad. There is no doubt that some of these Nigerians left the shores of our land to escape from the harsh economic realities of our existence.

It is regrettable that the number of Nigerians in foreign prisons has been on the increase. Available records show that 3,132 are currently languishing in various prisons across the world while 52 Nigerians are on death row in foreign countries for their reported involvement in crimes. A total of 1,640 Nigerians are in detention abroad. The total number of Nigerians awaiting deportation is 3,719. Estimated number of Nigeria’s trafficked victims is 5,145.

Source: Confabee News (Online News)