“‘Leave Now or Face Arrest’: Cambodia’s Order to Nigerians Puts Tinubu Under Fire as Citizens Flee Insecurity at Home Only to Face Rejection Abroad”
.........Nigerians in Cambodia Face Uncertainty as Immigration Crackdown Sparks Concern
By Passman Akpos
Reports of a major immigration enforcement operation in Cambodia have triggered concern among Nigerians living in the Southeast Asian nation, following the circulation of an official notice from Cambodian authorities directing certain African nationals to leave the country before a specified deadline.
The notice, purportedly issued by Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration and endorsed by senior officials of the Ministry of Interior, stated that a waiver granted to African nationals, including citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda and others, would expire on May 31, 2026.
According to the document, foreign nationals who failed to regularize their immigration status and remained in Cambodia from June 1, 2026, risk arrest, imprisonment for up to two years, and an $8,000 penalty before deportation.
The development has generated widespread debate on social media after activist Mezie alleged that Nigerians in Cambodia were being subjected to arrests, torture, and degrading treatment by Cambodian authorities. He claimed that the Cambodian government was conducting house-to-house operations targeting Nigerians and warned prospective migrants against relocating to the country.
“Nigerians who live in Cambodia are going through difficult times as we speak. Cambodia is no longer safe for Nigerians,” he stated.
However, several commentators challenged the narrative, arguing that the immigration directive was not specifically targeted at Nigerians but affected multiple African nationalities and individuals who had allegedly overstayed their visas or failed to regularize their immigration status.
Critics of the claims noted that the notice had been publicly issued in advance, giving affected foreigners time to comply with immigration requirements before enforcement began.
“This did not affect only Nigerians. They were notified ahead of time,” one social media user wrote.
Another commenter argued that Cambodia, like many countries, maintains strict immigration controls and documentation requirements, adding that enforcement actions should not automatically be interpreted as persecution.
Others attributed the government’s actions to concerns over criminal activities allegedly involving some foreign nationals, including drug trafficking and organized crime, though no official Cambodian statement reviewed by this publication specifically singled out Nigerians or any ethnic group for such offences.
The controversy has once again highlighted concerns about the treatment of Nigerians abroad and the broader challenges facing migrants navigating increasingly stringent immigration policies across various countries.
As discussions continue online, observers have called for Nigerian diplomatic authorities to engage Cambodian officials, verify the situation on the ground, and provide consular support to any citizens affected by immigration enforcement measures.
At the time of filing this report, no official statement had been released by the Nigerian government regarding the allegations of mistreatment, while Cambodian authorities maintain that immigration laws will be enforced against violators regardless of nationality.
