The Federal Government of Nigeria has set up a committee to study and address the United States requirements relating to the assessment of compliance with certain security criteria by foreign governments.
The government reacting to the United State Visa ban placed on Nigeria said that the committee headed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola will work with the U.S Government, INTERPOL and other stakeholders to ensure all updates are properly implemented.
“Nigeria remains committed to maintaining productive relations with the United States and other international allies especially on matters of global security,” Femi Adesian said in the statement by the government.
The New Diplomat earlier reported that U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a directive to restrict immigration from six additional countries, citing security concerns, administration officials said on Friday. The six nations are: Nigeria, Myanmar, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Sudan and Tanzania.
The countries will face tailored restrictions, the official said.
The new rules come into effect on February 22.
The new rules stop short of a blanket travel ban and will still allow certain visits to the U.S., notably those for non-immigration purposes, which raised questions about how the administration was defining security concerns.
Meanwhile, wild reactions have continued to trail the decision by the United States government as an ex-aide to former-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri blamed the action on rising insecurity across the country.
He asked Nigerians to be logical over the travel ban, noting that Trump’s decision was in the interest of United States citizens, saying the President Muhammadu Buhari led government should be blamed for the action that has shattered many hopes.
Reacting further, he asked Nigerians to tell him, what they could have done, if they were Trump?
“I wish the US did not place Nigeria on the Travel Ban list, but put yourself in Trump’s shoes. Under this administration, Nigeria has released thousands of ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members, any of whom could apply for and get a US visa and wreak havoc.
“They watch as this government unleashed operation Python Dance on the Southeast, Operation Crocodile Smile on the South-South and Southwest, while they treat herdsmen with kid gloves. Any of those herdsmen can apply for and obtain a US visa and export their marauding activities to America.
“Let us be logical, not sentimental. Don’t blame Trump. Blame General Buhari. In fact, blame yourself for electing him!”
Reacting also, Deji Adeyanju of the Concerned Nigerians group, said, “The imposition of Visa Ban on Nigeria by the United States was caused by Human Rights violations of the Buhari regime since 2015.
“We warned and warned but instead of respecting the rights of citizens, the regime arrested, imprisoned & even hired thugs to beat us up.
“Buhari has spent 5yrs releasing Boko Haram members claiming they are repentant & paying them ransom in the process. How else do you sponsor terrorism? And you wonder why Visa Ban?”
