Envoy decries Nigerians’ involvement in kidnapping in Malaysia
By AGENCY REPORTER
Wednesday, 7 Jul 2010

The Nigerian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ambassador Peter Anegbeh, has decried the increasing rate of kidnapping of “Nigerians by Nigerians” in Malaysia.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja that hostage-taking was being carried out by some Nigerian students “with a view to getting ransom from families of their victims, demanding for as much as $10,000.”

Anegbeh said that out of the 20,000 Nigerian population in Malaysia, 7,500 were students studying various courses, while others were professionals in the medical, academia and other fields.

He noted with regret that the students were also engaged in drug trafficking and cultism, among other vices.

Anegbeh said that last week, four students were arrested in connection with the kidnap of a new student, adding that the Malaysian authority had taken appropriate measures to checkmate the criminal activities.

He declared, “It is highly regrettable that out of the 7,500 students, only 3,500 are genuine, while some are victims of human trafficking being carried out by a syndicate in collaboration with some Malaysian nationals.

“Members of the syndicate deceive Nigerians into believing there are schools and job opportunities in Malaysia. However, when they arrive in the country, they get stranded and employ all means to survive.”

Anegbeh said the development had impacted negatively on Nigerian‘s image, noting that investors were growing reluctant to explore business opportunities in the country.

He said that some of the investors had been victims of Advance Fee Fraud (419), adding that the high commission had taken necessary initiatives to renew their confidence in Nigeria.

“I have been encouraging them to emulate Japan, Korea and China by trading in products that have ready market in Nigeria,” he said.

The envoy said relevant statistics showed that trade between the two countries had improved appreciablly in recent time, with Nigeria earning more than $200m annually.

The NAN reports that Nigeria and Malaysia have a free trade agreement under the D-8 Commission.

What do we do the these class of Nigerians that are bent on rubbishing the name of this Country where ever they go?

Kettle calling pot black? What measures have the Nigerian Government done to discourage Nigerians from travelling abroad without course. None. Any crime committed by an African is generally taken to be committed by Nigerians. How would a Non-Nigerian know Malaysia more than Malaysians. It's like saying that the Chadians and Chinese or Vietnamese roaming the streets of Nigerians are kidnapping Nigerians in their own country without the connivance of an indigene.
The Ambassador should stop painting his country black but should focus on measures of corrected our damaged image internationally.
I am not in support of criminal activities but those who represent us should not call us bad. Not all Nigerians are bad. If an American calls a Nigerian a criminal, should a Nigerian call his fellow Nigerian a criminal ?