The House of Representatives on Tuesday said Turkish authorities should apologise for their ongoing crackdown on Nigerians in tertiary institutions the country.

Nigerian students in colleges across Turkey have cried out in recent months of the ill treatment meted out on them by the police and other security agencies in Istanbul, Ankara and other major cities in that country.

The motion, which was raised by Solomon Maren, at the House plenary on Tuesday was addressed by majority of the lawmakers who reacted saying Nigeria has had enough of Turkey’s victimisation of her citizens.

Contributing to the motion, Rotimi Agunsoye from Lagos said Nigeria should openly reprimand Turkey for its actions and demand formal apology, while Adams Jagaba, a lawmaker from Kaduna State, said the House should weigh in on the crisis with caution.

Jagaba suggested that it would be counterproductive for the lawmakers to preempt the actions of the executive, which has the traditional duty of diplomatic relations with foreign nations.

The speaker, Yakubu Dogara, ruled that the matter should be forwarded to committees on tertiary education, foreign affairs, interior and Diaspora in support of the majority.

The lawmakers however called on the country to desist from such acts, adding that Turkey authorities issue an apology to Nigerians for the “unjustifiable assault” meted out on them.

According to reports, this development is as a result of the ill-fated coup d’etat in the country on July 15, 2016.

Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip-Erdogan, blamed the coup on anti-Turkey elements in foreign countries and responded by demanding the immediate closure of all Turkish colleges in Nigeria and other countries.

The Nigerian government rejected the call and said it would pursue a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Turkish schools in Nigeria also denied links to the coup.

Within the last one-week, no fewer than 50 Nigerians have been arrested in Turkey and summarily deported.

The students alleged breach of their fundamental rights and urged a response and thorough investigation into their ordeal. (TV360 Nigeria)

•Photo shows the House of Representatives in session

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