Nigerian officials are blasting Canada for denying visas to several senior military officers, including Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, in what Nigeria is calling a diplomatic slight.
“They can go to hell,” said Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. “Even though (this) is painful, (this) is disrespectful… We are strong, and I agree with you. We have to fix our country… Yes, this disrespect is too much. So it’s another reason why we work hard to make Nigeria work and be respected.”
Musa said that half of his team was permitted to enter Canada while the other half were denied visas for reasons unknown to him.
The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria said it was aware of the visa snub but could not comment on the matter due to “privacy reasons.”
The Nigerian officials being denied visas comes almost two weeks after the Liberals introduced new rules to strengthen temporary resident document cancellation and border security and integrity.
The new rules gave immigration and border officers the authority to cancel electronic travel authorizations and temporary resident visas.
The appropriate reasons for cancellations are when someone is inadmissible based on providing false information or having a criminal history, according to the Liberals. Cancellations can also occur if an officer suspects a person granted a visa not to leave when the visa expires or based on lost, stolen, or destroyed documents.
The new rules follow Canada receiving a 30-day reprieve from President Donald Trump’s threat of imposing 25-per-cent tariffs on all Canadian imports. The threat subsided after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made various concessions on border enhancements.
“In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl, and we will be backing it with $200 million,” said Trudeau.
Despite the month-long pause, the tariff threat has not dissipated. Canada’s 13 premiers recently travelled to Washington, D.C., to try and make the pause permanent.
According to the BBC, Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said that Canada’s actions were unjustifiable and that a diplomatic approach would have been preferred.
“If that can happen to the chief of defence staff, then I am worried for an average Nigerian,” he said.
True North reached out to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada but received no reply.