Somto Bisina
In a bid to combat drug trafficking and fraudulent activities, Seychelles has announced enhanced border controls and screening procedures for tourists holding Nigerian passports.
The decision comes in response to a growing number of cases involving Nigerian passport holders engaging in criminal behaviour within the country.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAhmed Afif, the Vice President of Seychelles, highlighted during a press conference that certain Nigerian passport holders will be exempt from the increased scrutiny.
This includes individuals with diplomatic passports and those possessing valid work or residency permits issued by Seychelles.
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However, for other Nigerian passport holders, the government will exercise vigilance. The Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS) will conduct a comprehensive analysis to determine the purpose of their visit, particularly for those claiming to be holidaying for a single day. Such cases are considered suspicious due to previous instances of Nigerians falsely claiming to be on vacation.
Afif revealed that authorities have uncovered a concerning pattern where payments made for these individuals to enter Seychelles originate from a single source, indicating the presence of an organized crime syndicate. He emphasized the potential threat this poses to border control and the country’s economy.
“We have seen a clear link between this with certain people from Nigeria,” stated Afif. “In the past two weeks, for example, 13 people coming from Nigeria have been arrested when entering Seychelles because they were carrying drugs into the country.”
Moreover, Afif cited an incident involving 62 Nigerians who claimed to be on holiday but used fraudulent credit cards, causing financial losses to local establishments. These individuals exploited the system, enjoying cost-free vacations while the affected businesses had no recourse.
Additionally, Seychelles has experienced cases of online scams originating from Nigeria, with perpetrators also traveling to the country to carry out these illegal activities.
It is important to note that Seychelles’ concerns are not directed at Nigeria or its people as a whole, but rather at the need to address criminal behaviour occurring within its borders. The decision to implement stricter border controls and increased screening procedures aims to safeguard the country’s security and economy.
This announcement comes six months after Nigeria and Seychelles established direct flights between the two countries. Prior to this, Nigerian citizens enjoyed visa-free entry into Seychelles for a duration of 30 days.
Seychelles remains committed to fostering positive relations with Nigeria, while concurrently taking necessary measures to protect its borders and preserve the integrity of its economy.
