Those engaging in criminal activities abroad do not represent us – Buhari

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said that the few Nigerians abroad indulging in criminal activities do not represent the values of the majority of the people of the country.

He disclosed this during a meeting with leaders of the Nigerian Community living in Japan on the sidelines of the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7).

“Let me also say that there are few Nigerians in the Diaspora that are giving us a bad name by engaging in criminal activities. These Nigerians are a minority, they do not represent the values of our country, and I plead with them to change their ways.”

According to him, “We will not condone any crime whether at home or abroad, and we will also not allow these Nigerians define us as a people with a reputation for criminality.”

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In a statement shared by the president’s special adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina,  Mr Buhari urged Nigerians in Japan to be good ambassadors of their fatherland.

“I am personally very happy that there are millions of Nigerians all over the world, like you here, who are truly making us proud,” he said, describing the majority of the over 17 million Nigerians in Diaspora as “the face of Nigeria globally and our ambassadors for good.”

President Buhari, however, urged his audience to continue to contribute their quota by helping to develop their host country and Nigeria as well.

“I look forward to your inborn gift, ability, and capacity in taking up this challenge,” he said