The Federal Governmment has formally protested the deportation of 125 Nigerians last week from South Africa for not possessing a valid yellow fever certificate before entering the country.
The 125 passengers were aboard Arik Air which landed at the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg .
?In a statement in Abuja , Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the deportation 'unwarranted'.
The statement, which also contained the result of the meeting between the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi and South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo, said that Nigeria demanded a review of the yellow fever certificate policy, especially as there were no legitimate concerns about outbreak of yellow fever in Nigeria more so as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not issued an alert to that effect. The FG also expressed concern over detention of a Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria by the South African Port Health and Immigration Authorities for 48 hours at the Oliver R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg .
?The statement said, “The permanent Secretary informed the High Commissioner that South Africans travelling to Nigeria, or those residing in Nigeria were not required to produce any evidence of vaccination against yellow fever, or for that matter against Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, both of which are prevalent in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has summoned the minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gbenga Ashiru, to appear before it today.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, told newsmen in Abuja yesterday that the committee was disturbed by the unpleasant relationship between Nigeria and other African countries and would seek clarification on Nigeria' relationship with such countries when the minister appears before it.
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