Nigerians have been assured that the Federal Government will not condone any form of illegal action by the country’s citizens living abroad.

The assurance was given at a meeting between the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by its chairperson, Rep. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

Elendu-Ukeje said at the meeting which reviewed the activities of Nigerians abroad that the more than 9,941 Nigerians serving various jail terms abroad was a source of concern to the committee.

According to her, the committee would not support illegality, and solicited the support of the ministry and Nigerian embassies and missions abroad in efforts to minimise the upsurge.

She said that information at the committee’s disposal showed that the majority of Nigerians were in various jails abroad for consular and drug-related matters.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Gbenga Ashiru, noted that most of Nigerians were in jails for consular offences for which they were at fault.

He said there was no way the government could support illegality. “If you have six months’ visa, do not over stay. If your stay has expired and you are not through with what you are doing, please come back home and renew your visa.”

He however, warned Nigerians against violating the laws of other countries. NAN