It appears a diplomatic row is brewing between Nigeria and Turkey as the Federal Government has summoned the Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, Hakan Cakil, over the deportation/detention of some Nigerian students in Istanbul.
We reported yesterday that the Turkish government announced the deportation of a number of Nigerian students over alleged ties to the recent failed coup attempt by some military officers in the country.
Making this known, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sola Enikanolaiye, told Punch that the Nigerian government demands the immediate release of the students and a reasonable explanation from Cakil regarding the shoddy treatment of the students, adding that a top Nigerian official in Ankara had been directed to meet the Turkish government over the issue.
Enikanolaiye also stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected some visa conditions the Turkish government imposed on the detained students.
“We summoned the Turkish ambassador to the ministry on Friday and demanded the immediate release of the students,” he said.
“We also rejected the condition imposed on the students that they should return to Nigeria and obtain a fresh visa in line with their admission to a new university. We insisted that they must be issued the new visa in Turkey there.”
The Perm Sec pointed out that contrary to initial reports, the detained students were not up to 50, and that the matter will be pursued to a satisfactory end.
Nigeria and Turkey have enjoyed decent bilateral relations in recent times with President Muhammadu Buhari one of the first to express support for Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan in the aftermath of the failed coup.
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