The US Embassy in Nigeria says there was no need for Nigerians to cancel travel plans to the United States, saying that suggestions of a policy change negatively affecting Nigerians are incorrect.
Spokesman, Russell K. Brooks, responded to an Associated Press request for comment after a Nigerian government statement Monday said some Nigerians with valid multiple-entry US visas have been barred entry and put on the next plane home.
Brooks comment reinforced the statement by Nigeria’s foreign minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, denying any Donald Trump ban for holders of valid entry visa.
Onyeama, said in Abuja, on Tuesday, that Nigerians were free to travel to US as the country was not on the ban list.
The minister said he was constantly in touch with the Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S. and the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, adding that there was no report on Nigerians being denied entry into the US
“On the issue of Nigerians being turned back from the U.S., this is not the case.
“I am in touch with the U . Embassy and the Ambassador said no, there was nothing of such nature.
“I can tell you to ignore any call or advice to reconsider travelling to the US because there is no basis for that.”
He said that there was absolutely no report whatsoever from the U.S. that people were being turned back from the U.S. or from Nigerian consulate that Nigerians were being turned back.
According to him, if government is speaking on any external relations, it will be heard from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Presidency as any other source is not from the government.
Earlier Tuesday, Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project said Nigeria’s government “must stand up to Trump and defend Nigerians’ internationally recognised right to freedom of movement.”
Possessing a visa has never automatically guaranteed entry, Brooks said but “Nigerians with a valid visa and a legitimate purpose are certainly welcome to visit the United States.”
“We encourage all visitors to be clear and consistent about their purpose and cooperate fully with US immigration authorities.”
Nigeria is not part of President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban. Half its 170 million citizens are Muslims and it’s battling Boko Haram’s Islamic uprising in the northeast.
A Nigerian government statement Monday said some Nigerians with valid multiple-entry U.S. visas have been barred entry, had their visas cancelled and been put on the next plane home, without explanation.
(NAN)