Senate Flays Unlawful Arrest of Nigerians By Benin Republic
The Senate yesterday flayed the unlawful encroachment and arrest of Nigerians by the authorities of the Republic of Benin.
This is just as it agreed to consider the 2021 supplementary appropriations bill today.
Acting on a motion brought before it at plenary,
the upper chamber directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal
Matters, and States and Local Governments to interface with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Justice and National Border Commission to urgently put in place the necessary mechanism that would provide lasting solutions to the unlawful arrest of Nigerians and encroachment.
Senate’s decision to intervene was sequel to the adoption of a point of order raised by Senator Tolu Odebiyi (APC, Ogun West).
Coming under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules, Odebiyi recalled the numerous reports of alleged encroachments into Nigeria’s territory by authorities of the Republic of Benin, which, according to him, “has become increasingly disturbing.”
The Senator quoted recent media reports indicating that,“gendarmes” from the Republic of Benin crossed illegally into Nigeria territory to carry out the arrest of one Pastor Kunle Garb and Mr. Benjamin Amosu, his interpreter, who are residents of Igbokofi village inYewa North Local
Government Area of Ogun State for demanding the reversal of the land encroachment by the government of the Republic of Benin.
He also noted that the arrest of these Nigerians was based on the allegation that they are resisting encroachment into Nigerian land through Igbokofi village inYewa-North LGA of Ogun State.
The Senator added that the allegations of encroachment have been flayed by the government of the state as published in a release from the State Government calling on the Federal Government to immediately secure the release of Nigerian citizens currently languishing in detention in the Republic of Benin as a result of their resistance to the continued encroachment;
According to him, the continuous “unchecked” Egress and Ingress of persons at the different entry points and borders between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin – the country’s closest neighbour, are largely the result of the porosity of the country’s borders.