The names of five Nigerians who robbed a Bureau de Change in United Arab Emirates (UAE) released by the Nigerian government has sparked controversial tribal debate.
WuzupNaija reports that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, released the list of the Nigerians involved in the act. She listed the name of the five suspects who were on visitors visas to Dubai as Chimuanya Ozo, Benjamin Ajah, Kingsley Nwonka, Toochukwu Arise and Chile Ndumodu.
The rage started when a popular social media supporter of the APC tweeted the list with a taunt that it didn’t comply with federal character.
Federal Character ??
— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) April 2, 2019
The tweet angered some Igbos on social media who felt that adding that part to the post is unnecessary, while others are outraged over the disgraceful acts of the suspects notwithstanding their tribe.
In reaction to the tweet, some Nigerians posted names of non-Igbo Nigerians who had been convicted for crimes in overseas.
Condemning the heated exchange and tribal war the list has generated, the former Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reform, Dr Joe Abah tweeted:
“59 years after Independence, 49 years after we fought a war to stay together, SOME Nigerians are still stereotyping whole ethnic groups. “Hausas this”, “Igbos that”, “Yorubas the other.” When supposedly-educated Youth do it, I am not even sure we can still blame politicians. Sad!
Also, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode wrote on Twitter:
“I pity those rejoicing at the fact that the boys who were caught robbing a BureauDeChange in Dubai were Igbo.
“They fail to appreciate the fact that the rest of the world,including the Arabs,rightly view them as Nigerians and not Igbo and their behaviour is a reflection of us all.”
See some of the reactions:
Instead of the people on this thread to condemn the 5 Igbo boys… they are abusing Jags.
Same people are quick to tweet that herdsmen are Fulani.
Justifying bad behaviours committed by your own kinsmen and condemning others is hypocrisy. ? https://t.co/fbsIGAfhLl
— Adetutu Balogun (@Tutsy22) April 3, 2019
A hypocrite is the kind of person who would cut down a redwood tree, then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation.
Herdsmen are Fulani – Yes!
Boko Haram are Hausas – Yes!
Yorubas are Hausa slaves – Yes!
5 Robbers arrested in UAE are Igbos – You’re a fucking bigot!!! pic.twitter.com/ISf5UCa217— Adetutu Balogun (@Tutsy22) April 3, 2019
I pity those rejoicing at the fact that the boys who were caught robbing a BureauDeChange in Dubai were Igbo.They fail to appreciate the fact that the rest of the world,including the Arabs,rightly view them as Nigerians and not Igbo and their behaviour is a reflection of us all.
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) April 3, 2019
Lists of Igbo boys behaving badly in Dubai…
Lists of Hausa and Yoruba boys behaving badly in Saudi Arabia…What the lists miss, is that these boys have green passports. But make una continue una craze.
There’s no Arewa, Biafra or Oduduwa. The world only sees #Nigeria.
— Chxta (@Chxta) April 3, 2019
When that stupid boy boarded a plane with bomb in his pant, did the US tell Nigerians “You’re not Hausa so we won’t give you extra screening?”
Be here making noise over tribe of the criminals. When you get to their visa office/ airport, you can tell them you’re not Igbo. Inugo?
— Rita C. Onwurah (@RitaOnwurah) April 3, 2019
I think the Igbos are taking this issue way too personal, perhaps on basis of a preconceived animosity. This is a national shame, let’s embrace ourselves and jettison ethnicity.
It’s about Nigeria and not the Igbos! ?
— Abbeynla (@Abbeynla3) April 3, 2019
Tribe shaming d entire Igbos all cause of actions of a few(recent stealing in Dubai) is wrong
Remember:
— Umar Abdulmutallab: who almost bombed a US plane?
— Ibrahim Uwais(son to ex-CJN) : who stole his father money & joined ISIS?Should we then say all Hausas are terrorists?
— Young Dan Fulani?? (@YoungOtutu) April 3, 2019
I don’t understand, Five Foolish Nigerians of South East origin commit a serious crime in UAE and Buharists are celebrating it? Is it only Igbos that will suffer a Visa ban from UAE Govt?
Has this incident taken away high literacy rates, ingenuity & human capital devt from SE? https://t.co/k2Cd160gob— Mr Stanley Nwabia (@MrStanleyNwabia) April 3, 2019
