Nigerian government grants Islamist terror preacher visa

The Federal Government granted visa to
renowned extremist and Islamic terror preacher,
Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, who has been
banned from a number of countries because of
his messages. The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro
said Philips was granted visa because he 'met the
requirements
The TelegraphNG reports
Philips who lives in Qatar has been issued a
Nigerian Visa to visit and preach in the
Country. The cleric has already been banned
from countries like Australia, Germany,
United Kingdom, United States of America,
Kenya, amongst others.
Reports had it that the cleric celebrated his
Visa issuance with his followers on his
facebook on Sunday morning, saying, “Al
hamdu lillaah. I just got a visa for Nigeria
and will be going there in a few days, in
shaa allaah. So, I hope to see all my
Nigerian brothers and sisters. Baarakallaahu
feekum”.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Minister of
Interior noted that every country has its own
requirement for the grant visa and in Nigeria’s
situation especially against “the back drop of our
security challenges, we also have our
requirement for granting of visas.
“We have our own black list too of people
that because of our security situation should
not be allowed into country. And if this
preacher that you talk about for instance did
not fall within the list of people black listed
for their activities that are inimical to
internal security. If he is preaching and the
content of what he has submitted for the
granting of visa that will not undermine the
security of the country, then certainly we
will grant him the visa. That is the purpose
we have achieved here”.
He further said it was double standards, as “when
the Nigerian government signed the anti-law and
the west was complaining, we started that Nigeria
nation is a soverign country that should be
allowed to determine it’s destiny and practices”.
He added that Nigeria will therefore not use” the
refusal of visa by Germany, UK as a basis for
refusing anybody visa here.
“I can assure you that the Nigerian security
personnel are equal to the task of detecting
whose activities that are inimical to the
situation of this country.
“Any moment that his preaching and
activities are seen to be inimical to the
security of this country I can assure you
that we are up to the task of repatriating him
as soon as possible.
“And his specific activities in this country
guides the request that he has made which
has also guided the action of the Nigerian
immigration service in granting the visa.
“Apart from the preacher any other person
that gains entry to this country whose
activities undermine the integrity and
security of this country will be properly
treated.”