NiDCOM boss, Dabiri-Erewa gives counsel as cleric maltreated in Cairo Airport visits, tell his story

Abuja, June 28, 2024

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has restated the need for Nigerians travelling outside the country to be more circumspect in order to avoid untoward circumstances.

Dabiri-Erewa gave the advise  during a visit by Rev. Dr. Israel Kristilere, CEO of Oasis of Faith Intercontinental Limited and President of the Christian Tourism Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CTPAN), who gave a detailed account of the maltreatment he suffered at the Cairo International Airport Tarmac during a stopover there on a pilgrimage to Israel.

Rev. Kristilere recounted the events of April 30th, 2024, when he and 27 other pilgrims were enroute to Israel. He said that during a four-hour layover in Cairo, “Myself and another first-class passenger were resting in the lounge. Around midnight, I observed that boarding had commenced, yet my group remained seated. Upon inquiry, I learnt they had instructed us to wait.”

According to the cleric, when he attempted to board, he was detained by airport security personnel on accusations of sexual abuse, based on a trumped-up complaint and a supposed video recording he was not allowed to view.

Forced to apologize to the alleged victim to avoid court proceedings, he expressed his sympathy for the lady in case someone else had abused her and she mistook him for the person. He also documented his refusal to sign a document written in Arabic by writing “I DO NOT KNOW” above his surname while recording the audio of the encounter with his phone.

In the course of his ordeal, the Desk Manager intervened, resulting in the return of his passport and his release. He found out later that the Desk Manager’s intervention was because the other pilgrims he was leading had refused to board the plane without him. On May 1st, at around 1 a.m, they all finally departed Cairo Airport together.

Reacting to the disturbing narrative, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, who was represented at the meeting by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi assured that NiDCOM would bring his petition to the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Egypt, pointing out that they are the ones that have the powers and jurisdiction to intervene and investigate that matter.

The NiDCOM boss sympathized with Rev. Kristilere for the maltreatment he endured, emphasizing that no Nigerian should face such inhumane treatment anywhere abroad.

Dabiri-Erewa, however, commended Rev. Kristilere for securing the support of the Christian Pilgrims Commission and encouraged him to also forward relevant documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Egyptian Embassy.

The NiDCOM Boss further assured that the Commission will continue to advocate for dignified and humane treatment and privileges for Nigerians all over the world.