INDIA—Mumbai police are spending a fortune to feed Nigerians detained for criminal offences in India, says Indian investigative journalist and ethical hacker Dr Vaidehi Taman.
In an editorial article published on Afternoon Voice, a news portal in India, the popular philanthropist and lawyer writes that her country has become “a heaven for drug peddlers,” urging immigration restrictions
“They are a dangerous liability to our country’s economy,” Taman says of Nigerians. “Those arrested refuse to eat anything but rice and chicken. As a result, police are spending Rs2000 per day on meals for these accused.”
The article, which generally took a swipe at African immigrants in India, says Indian police are frustrated with the “criminals”, as they are unable to deport them.
“They (criminals) are physically strong and go to any length to resist cops. Policemen openly admit that they are scared to detain Nigerian suspects from their locality….The Africans, once they come into India they destroy their passports and refuse to disclose their countries of origin, leaving the cops no way to know where to deport them.”
Taman notes that the drug problem in Mumbai persists because “we are tolerant of migrants,” who she says have “localities and huge places allotted in their names.” She adds that the migrants have “trades and restaurants” in Mumbai as fronts covering up criminalities.
“The internet palors near Nigerianwadi, they sit there morning to night,” she writes in reference to persons perceived to be Nigerian fraudsters. She says owners of the internet palors allow the fraudsters because they pay Rs100, unlike locals who pay a paltry Rs10. Taman claims the fraudsters use public internet services to evade being traced home.
Going further, the journalist avers that over 500 Nigerians are incarcerated in India for offences that include drug peddling, forgery, sex trafficking, and internet fraud. And that sex workers in Mumbai play a part in sheltering those not arrested who also bribe the police.
Concluding, she throws a punch at Nigeria, implying that India should not care about the migrants who get less respect from their own government.
“Nigeria itself treats its own people very poorly. Why should other people care for them?”
Anti-Nigeria sentiments are rife in India, leading to a spike in deadly racial attacks in recent times.