3 Nigerian drug suspects to return home from S/Africa

Ikechukwu Anyene, President of the Nigeria Union in South Africa

The President of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, says three Nigerians in that country are willing to return following the group’s campaign against drugs and prostitution.

Anyene told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria, South Africa, on Saturday that the union had commenced street campaigns against drugs and prostitution.

He said that after the successful launch of the campaign in October at Kimberly, Northern Cape Province of South Africa, the union embarked on street sensitisation.

Anyene stated that during campaigns at Krugersdorp, Sunnyside and Hillsborough in Gauteng Province, three Nigerians involved in crime indicated interest to return home.

“One of them said he had a return ticket and the union will facilitate the journey,” he said.

The president said the union found out during the campaign that some Nigerians were deceived to come to South Africa after paying huge sums of money.

He said on arrival, such Nigerians were left on their own while they resorted to crime to survive.

According to him, the campaign made them to meet victims, suspected culprits and make them change their ways.

“We use the opportunity to go to where Nigerians live to preach against crimes like drugs and prostitution.

“We also discovered that most of our people come to South Africa on false promises of jobs and when they arrive, they resort to crime.

“One Nigerian said he had potentials to do well at home and will return. We will facilitate the journey and ensure that he returns safely,” he said.

Anyene also said the union was making arrangements with some companies to train Nigerians on skills like barbing, tiling, panel beating and auto-repair.

“The aim is that if they have skills, they will be busy and stay away from crime.

“They will also be self employed. Many Nigerians are self employed and doing well in South Africa,’’ he said.