Background – U.S. Allegedly Pressures Nigeria to Accept Venezuelan Deportees
A diplomatic controversy is brewing after Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, revealed that the United States has been pressuring Nigeria and other African nations to accept Venezuelan deportees, including prisoners.
Tuggar disclosed the development during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday. According to the minister, the U.S. wants Nigeria to accept prisoners who are not Nigerian citizens, particularly Venezuelans—an arrangement Nigeria has not agreed to and is unlikely to support.
“There are ongoing conversations, but Nigeria may not be able to accept prisoners from another sovereign country. The U.S. has been reaching out to several African countries,” Tuggar said during the interview.
The issue has sparked widespread reactions, especially concerning sovereignty, national security, and the ethics of transferring prisoners between unrelated nations.
Shehu Sani Reacts – ‘Nigeria is Not a Dumping Ground’
Responding to the revelation, former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to condemn the proposal in strong terms.
Sani stated that while it is acceptable for the U.S. to deport Nigerian prisoners back to Nigeria, the idea of sending Venezuelan nationals to the country is “unacceptable” and must be firmly rejected.
“If the US wants to send Nigerian prisoners in US Jails back to Nigeria, that is ok and should be accepted.
We don’t want Venezuelan prisoners in our country and there should be no space for them now or in the future,” he wrote.
The former lawmaker’s comment echoes broader concerns among citizens who view the alleged U.S. push as a disrespectful diplomatic maneuver.
Public Reactions and Diplomatic Implications
The revelations and reactions have stirred outrage and disbelief among Nigerians on social media. Many view the move as an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and an attempt to offload unrelated diplomatic problems onto African nations.
International policy analysts have also weighed in, stating that the idea violates basic diplomatic principles, including those under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The Nigerian government has yet to issue a formal position or policy statement on the matter beyond Minister Tuggar’s media disclosure.
What We Know So Far
The U.S. is allegedly trying to deport Venezuelan prisoners to Nigeria and other African countries.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed the discussions during a live interview.
Shehu Sani has strongly condemned the move, calling it inappropriate and unacceptable.
The U.S. has not publicly commented on the details of the deportation strategy.
As diplomatic scrutiny intensifies, pressure may mount on the Nigerian government to issue an official rejection or clarification on the matter.
