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fewer than 50 Nigerians were Friday last week arrested at various gun points
across Botswana and clamped in deplorable immigration cells.
In a recent move by the government of Botswana aimed at flushing
out Nigerians, a combined team of police Directorate of Intelligence Services
(DIS) swooped on Nigerians’ business zone located in Mogoditshane area of
Gaborone as well as different homes in Botswana.
One of the culprits who pleaded anonymity told Blueprint through
an e-mail that the security outfit claimed that some of the persons arrested
did not have “proper resident permit.”
He added that investigation revealed that most of the persons
arrested had relevant documents valid up to 10 years. Those arrested alongside
their kids were said to be on their way to their work place.
He said: “They were stopped and asked if they are Nigeria and
once they answered yes they will be arrested while non Nigerians among them
will be set free. They also arrested those who went to see their detained
relatives to ascertain while they were arrested.
“As I talk to you, the detainees have not been told why they
were arrested; some of them whose documents were valid were seized and were
being investigated.”
“One of the police men told them point blank that “nobody cares”
if they died in their custody.”
Deputy Ambassador to the Nigeria High Commission to Botswana who
visited them and was allowed to see them at second attempt demanded to know
what their offences were. She was told that the order was from above, as of the
time of her visit last Saturday.
On his part, Directorate of Intelligence Services (DIS), Chief
Mr. Isaac Kgosi, who visited them commended his boys for the job well done,
saying that the order of arbitrary arrests of Nigerians was from above, and
that the administration was determined to get the country rid of drug peddlers.
Source: Blueprint
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