The Head
of Mission, Syrian embassy in Nigeria, Dr. Shafik Daiyob on Friday,
September 11, 2015 revealed that supporters of the Islamic State (ISIS)
terror group in the country obtained visas to go to Turkey in order to
join up with the group in Syria.
Speaking in an interview in Abuja with
Daiyob, speaking through an interpreter said after obtaining visas to
Turkey, the ISIS sympathizers proceed to gain entry into Syria, albeit
illegally.
In February 2015, Ibrahim Uwais, the son
of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais obtained Turkish
visa before crossing the Syrian border in order to join ISIS, in company
of his family.
Nothing has been heard about the incident ever since.
The Turkish embassy has also said it would not respond to the allegation until it is published.
Speaking to a correspondent via
telephone, the Secretary/ Personal Assistant to the Turkish ambassador,
Wunmi Ayantade said: “I have conveyed your request for reaction to the
ambassador, but he said he would not react until he sees the published
report (of the Syrian accusations) in the papers.”
Daiyob on his part explained that a
significant part of the 920 kilometer border between Syria and Turkey is
under the control of ISIS, adding that the large entry of terrorists
into Syria was aided by the Turkish government.
Daiyob said: , “I am not accusing
Turkey, but the Turkish officials have announced that and their
utterances are quite clear on this and most countries in the world know
this fact. Even United States has mounted pressure on Turkey to stop
facilitation of terrorist organisations into Syria, it is not a secret,
it’s well known all over the world.”
“Most of these ISIS sympathisers were
from Nigeria, they were given the Turkish visas here in Nigeria, they
are given visas to Turkey not Syria. Those who applied to our embassy
are not ISIS sympathisers and they don’t share that ideology. Even those
Nigerian supporters of ISIS that were published in the papers reached
Syria through Turkey.
“For Nigerians, they are required to
state why they are going to Syria, their sponsor, introduction letter
from the government or private company the applicant is working with,
information about where the person would stay in Syria and so on. The
information would be sent to Damascus for approval before the visa is
issued. This process doesn’t take more than two weeks.
“Turkish/Syrian border is about 920 km
and a large part of the border is under the control of terrorists
supported by the Turkish government with support and facilitation from
the Turkish government. That was how Turkey became a crossing point for
majority of terrorists who come from all over the world.”
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