The Rural Community Development Outreach (RCDO) has submitted a petition to the United States Consulate General, urging the denial of visas to Nigerian politicians with ties to terrorism.
Ikenna Ellis Ezenekwe, the National Coordinator of RCDO, signed the petition, which argued that the involvement of high-ranking political figures in terrorism could have devastating effects on the nation’s agrarian communities.
With rural areas serving as the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural economy, the group stressed that any political support for terrorism and banditry will severely disrupt agricultural activities, leading to food insecurity, economic instability, and increased poverty.
The organization’s petition highlighted the case of a current investigation by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) into a politician from a state in the Northeast suspected of supporting terrorism.
The individual, who holds a powerful position in Nigeria’s Senate, is alleged to have assisted a known terrorist suspect with travel logistics, including expediting documentation.
This incident has raised alarms about the senator’s role in national security, particularly given his responsibility as the Chairman of the sensitive Senate Committee.
RCDO pointed out that terrorism has already wreaked havoc in Nigeria’s rural regions, with many farmers living in constant fear, agricultural lands abandoned, and vital infrastructure destroyed.
The group warned that if such political connections to terrorism go unchecked, the consequences for rural development and the overall security of the country could be catastrophic.
The petition further called on the US Consulate to monitor the investigation closely and take actions, such as denying entry visas to the implicated individuals, to prevent international ramifications.
RCDO stressed that terrorism is not only a security threat but a direct attack on the livelihoods of millions in rural Nigeria, and it urges international solidarity in holding those responsible accountable.
The organization also called for immediate action from both Nigerian authorities and international partners to prevent further escalation of terrorism in the country, which poses a grave threat to the safety and prosperity of rural populations.
The petition read in part, “RCDO believes that the US Consulate’s involvement is crucial, and that by closely monitoring the investigation and taking measures such as suspending or denying entry visas, the Consulate can play a pivotal role in preventing international repercussions that could arise from potential security breaches.
“RCDO’s appeal to the US Consulate is a call for immediate action and international solidarity, aimed at protecting the people who are most vulnerable to the repercussions of violence and instability.”
