NAN – The Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, has said the ministry will no longer entertain appeals from foreign missions to release the crew or ships involved in illegal activities on Nigeria’s territorial waters.
Mr. Ashiru issued the warning on Friday in Abuja at a briefing with members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria. He also cautioned the diplomats against making comments on political issues that “amounted to undue interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.”
The minister also briefed the diplomats on developments in Nigeria, the Gulf of Guinea, human rights issues, consular matters and recent international meetings hosted in Abuja.
On the Gulf of Guinea, Mr. Ashiru appealed to the international community to cooperate with Nigeria in the fight against piracy and oil theft.
“The Nigerian Navy and NIMASA have been directed to take firm measures against any ship caught in unwholesome activities, including oil theft on Nigeria’s territorial waters. In the past, ambassadors have come to me or my permanent secretary to plead for the release of either their ships or the crew members caught in illegal activities. This is to serve as a warning that henceforth, I will not be able to grant audience to people coming to plead for the release of their ships or crew members,” he said.
Crude oil theft has been on the increase in Nigeria with the federal government estimating that Nigeria loses about 300,000 barrels daily to oil theft and sabotage of facilities.
On the alleged interference by some foreign missions in Nigeria’s internal affairs, Mr. Ashiru said, “Some ambassadors and their diplomats have been hob-nobbing with civil society groups and opposition parties in the country. This is incompatible with the status of diplomatic missions or agents. We will not hesitate to identify and deal with erring missions that fail to respect Nigeria’s sensitivities and sovereignty.”
On terrorism, the minister said that the ongoing military operations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, under state of emergency had recorded tremendous success. He expressed hope that normalcy would soon return to the states, lauding Nigeria’s security forces for operating under rules of engagement.
Mr. Ashiru reiterated that the military was fully committed to the protection of human rights, denying allegations of extra-judicial killings made against the security forces.
On human rights, Mr. Ashiru tasked the diplomats to make their home governments to understand Nigeria’s perspectives on gay rights and death penalty. He said the country’s criminal code contains provisions for death sentence for now and review could happen in the nearest future.
“On gay rights, I must stress that this is not in accord with the culture and beliefs of the generality of Nigerians. I, therefore, appeal to the international community through you to show greater understanding of the culture and traditions of our people,” he said.
On consular matters, Mr. Ashiru expressed concern about the rate of rejection of applicants by some countries. He asked missions to desist from dealing directly with some agencies of government on issues pertaining to issuance of Notes Verbale in support of applications for visas.
“All such matters should be referred to the ministry which remains the channel of communications with government,” he said.
The minister frowned at the practice of missions writing directly to the State House on any matter, which he said, was a clear breach of established channel of communication as contained in the Vienna Convention.
He said the ministry would no longer condone such clear breach of established communication channels.