The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project on Thursday in Lagos expressed concern over the number of Nigerians serving prison sentences in foreign jails.
The Executive Director, SERAP, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, spoke in the wake of reports which indicated that over 800 Nigerians were in Togolese jails; 457 in Brazil; 400 in United Kingdom; and many others in jail in Asian countries.
Mumuni told the News Agency of Nigeria that the rate of unemployment, insecurity and poverty in the country, were partly responsible for the trend.
He called on the Federal Government to create more employment opportunities for its citizens to discourage them from travelling to other countries to seek greener pastures.
Mumuni said it was unfortunate that many Nigerians were desperate to travel abroad in spite of the enormous human and natural resources the country was blessed with.
He said it was disturbing that some Nigerians, in their search for better opportunities, often found themselves on the wrong side of the law in foreign countries.
"I think before travelling, they should be given a kind of orientation on the laws existing in the land they are going to.
"Some of them are in prison for violating immigration laws and other minor offences,'' Mumuni said.
He charged Nigerian embassies and high commissions to live up to their duties by investigating the charges preferred against Nigerians and come to their aid.
The Punch