Politics
…as Dabiri-Erewa cautions immigrants against having banned items
By Victoria Frances
ANDREW Etsetowaghan, a public health expert and project director at the Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research, Nigeria, has narrated his ordeal in the hands of airport security in Geneva, Switzerland.
Etsetowaghan said he detained on May 25, at the airport after attending a United States Department meeting in Geneva. He was part of an official delegation from Nigeria.
Narrating his ordeal, Etsetowaghan said: “Upon going through security at Geneva Airport, I was informed that my presentation pointer was not allowed in Switzerland.
“I was detained, had my belongings and documents seized, and was subjected to several hours of interrogation and solitary confinement in a cell.
“Despite my compliance, the treatment I received was inhumane, including limited access to bathroom facilities and being forced to sign documents in French under duress.”
He urged for measures to prevent such incidents in the future. He called for a review of the procedures and better awareness of the banned items to ensure travelers are well-informed.
Reacting, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about such prohibited items in Switzerland Airports and urged Swiss authorities to enhance their communication on such regulations, describing Dr ordeal as “avoidable “
NiDCom has also cautioned Nigerian citizens travelling through Switzerland regarding the possession of laser pointers at the airports.
This advisory follows the recent detention of Etsetowaghan at Geneva Airport for carrying a presentation pointer in his hand luggage after the pointers had been banned in Switzerland since June 1, 2019 of which he was not aware
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman, NiDCOM, noted that many immigrants might be unaware of this regulation and urged Nigerian travelers to exercise caution to avoid similar incidents, according to a release by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM.
A.I
June
Tags: Abike Dabiri-Erewa Andrew Etsetowaghan NIDCOM
