Oru Leonard.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to step up campaign to repair Nigeria’s damaged images, in view of the recent drug related conviction and execution of Nigerians.
HURIWA expressed happiness on the recent foreign policy millstone achieved by the current administration by the effective intervention which culminated in the reported release of a Nigerian citizen Miss Zainab Aliyu- a Kano State born pilgrim in whose travelling bags suspected hard drugs were planted by some airport workers.
“It is remarkable to state that this small but significant landmark in area of foreign affairs which was secured from the Saudi Arabian government is something that must be celebrated.
So for a government to secure the release of a citizen whose fate was hanging precariously like a sword of Damocles from a country that is notorious for being absolutely intolerant of drug offenses/drug offenders is definitely a remarkable achievement that must be celebrated across all party lines.
Government must show that it did not achieve this because the victim is from the Northern region of Nigeria. Questions of why similar cases were never attended to needed to be answered with clarity” HURIWA noted.
The statement made available to News Dot Africa by HURIWA, indicated that there is a fundamental need for Nigerian Government to intensify campaigns against drug trafficking, human trafficking and all sorts of social menace that threatens the corporate/public image of Nigeria globally.
HURIWA cautioned that Zainab’s case should not be a one off case in which the government will go back to sleep believing that it has achieved so much but to take the job of re-branding of the damaged global public perception of Nigeria serious.
HURIWA noted that Zainab Aliyu’s case has shown that there is serious danger in our airports and that security at our airports can be breached seamlessly by unscrupulous elements who have found a new franchise of trafficking hard drugs through travelling bags of innocent travelers.
“Nigeria have to declare a state of security emergency to flush out those hooligans who are already embedded within the official hierarchy of the airports staff and management. The handling of travelling bags must be done professionally and CCTVS must operate 24/7 at all our airports to watch out for these criminals working as staff in the airports. Enough is enough” HURIWA stated.
Specifically, the Zainab Aliyu’s case is an eye opener, however we commend the foreign affairs ministry for this totally impressive effort.
Recall that the Personal Assistant to the President on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, has said that the Federal Government has secured the release of a Nigerian student, Zainab Habibu, who was detained in Saudi on suspicion of drug trafficking.
Zainab, a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, was arrested after a banned drug, Tramadol, was found in her bag. She claimed it was planted in her luggage by unknown persons.
The student had travelled from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in company with her mother, Mrs. Maryam Aliyu, and sister, Hajara Aliyu, but she was arrested over allegations that a bag bearing her name tag contained the unlawful substance.
Zainab, who was accused of entering Saudi Arabia with an illegal dosage of Tramadol, was later discovered to be a victim of a cartel that specialised in keeping hard drugs in travellers’ bags, some of whom were already in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Just about the same time the Presidency tweeted Zainab’s release, the Senate had, at plenary on Tuesday, stated that Senate President Bukola Saraki had announced senators Kabiru Gaya, Abdullahi Adamu, Aliyu Wamakko, Sam Egwu, Baba Kaka, Monsurat Sunmonu and himself as members of an ad-hoc committee to investigate the matter of Zainab Aliyu.
