From Muhammad Gazali Garba.
The Sokoto State Government has received five indigenes of the state who were deported from Côte d’Ivoire after spending about 10 months in detention.
The deportees arrived at Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, where they were received by a government delegation led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal and Administrative Matters, Barrister Gandhi Umar, on behalf of Governor Ahmed Aliyu.
Receiving the deportees at the Government House, Sokoto, Governor Ahmed Aliyu thanked Almighty Allah for their safe return and expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, particularly the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, for its efforts in securing their release and facilitating their return to Nigeria.
The Governor described their safe return as a source of relief and joy to their families and the people of Sokoto State. He assured them that his administration would provide the necessary support to help them rebuild their lives and become self-reliant.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu further stated that those among the deportees who wished to continue their education would be assisted to return to school, while those who were not interested in formal education would be empowered through business support and other livelihood programmes to enable them become productive members of society.
Speaking on behalf of the deportees, Lukman Sani said they travelled to Côte d’Ivoire in search of better economic opportunities. He explained that they earned a living by moving from one community to another, collecting damaged and non-functional mobile phones in exchange for Indomie noodles or plastic household items.
According to Lukman, they were arrested by the authorities on allegations of involvement in drug trafficking and detained for 10 months. He said subsequent investigations established that they were not involved in any drug-related offence.
He added that following the intervention of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, they were released from detention and subsequently deported to Nigeria.
Lukman further alleged that all their personal belongings were confiscated by the authorities before their deportation.
He disclosed that they had travelled to Côte d’Ivoire as a group of six. According to him, after they regained their freedom but before they could return to Nigeria, one of their colleagues fell ill and died. He was buried in Côte d’Ivoire, while the remaining five were eventually repatriated to Nigeria.
Lukman expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for preserving their lives throughout the ordeal. He also thanked the Federal Government, particularly the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, the Sokoto State Government, and everyone who contributed to their release and safe return home.
Speaking on behalf of the parents and relatives of the deportees, Alhaji Sa’adu Tudun Wada expressed profound appreciation to the Sokoto State Government and the Federal Government for their tireless efforts in securing the release and safe return of the young men.
He thanked Governor Ahmed Aliyu and the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire for their timely intervention, describing the reunion with their loved ones as a great relief and a moment of gratitude to Almighty Allah.
The Sokoto State Government reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of its citizens and pledged to continue implementing programmes and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable residents .
