….. Demands Urgent Federal Intervention
Citypost News Desk
The APC Digital Force has raised serious concerns over reports of a recent clampdown on international students in the United States, particularly Nigerian students, calling for urgent intervention to protect affected citizens and prevent further deportations.
In a statement issued on Wednesday 21st January, 2026, the Director-General of the APC Digital Force, Pharm. Ikeagwuonwu Klinsmann, expressed deep worry over reports that several Nigerian students have had their visas revoked, leading to arrests, detention by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and deportation over what he described as minor visa-related infractions.
Klinsmann warned that the development poses a grave threat to the educational aspirations, safety, and psychological well-being of young Nigerians legitimately pursuing academic programmes in the United States. He noted that beyond the personal hardship inflicted on the students, the situation could strain long-standing diplomatic and educational ties between Nigeria and the U.S.
The APC Digital Force Director-General called on the Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to intervene immediately by engaging relevant U.S. authorities to secure the release of detained students and ensure fair resolution of their visa issues.
He further urged NIDCOM to dispatch a high-level delegation to the United States to coordinate on-the-ground efforts and submit a detailed report of the intervention to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Klinsmann also appealed to the Nigerian Embassy in the United States to intensify consular engagement by providing legal assistance, diplomatic backing, and protection for affected students, while working to halt what he described as “avoidable deportations” and ensure compliance with international standards of due process.
Additionally, he called on Comrade Sunday Asefon, Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Student Matters, to collaborate with NIDCOM, the Nigerian Embassy in the U.S., the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to address the crisis comprehensively and put safeguards in place to prevent a recurrence.
Reaffirming solidarity with Nigerian students in the diaspora, the APC Digital Force said it would continue to closely monitor developments and advocate for humane, fair, and diplomatic solutions that prioritize education, mutual respect, and the protection of Nigerian citizens abroad.
The group urged all concerned authorities to act swiftly in the interest of justice and Nigeria’s international image.
