The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro has explained why the Federal Government granted visa to a renowned extremist and controversial terror Preacher, Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips.
Philips, who resides in Qatar, has been issued a Nigerian Visa to visit and preach in the Country, which is currently grappling with security challenges posed by the activities of Boko Haram insurgents.
It was gathered that the cleric celebrated his visa issuance with his fans on his Facebook 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”.
Philips has already been banned from visiting countries like Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America, Kenya, amongst others.
But the Interior Minister, who spoke with State House correspondents, at the end of the Centenary Inter-denominational Church Service in Abuja on Sunday, said that the Islamic terror preacher was given the visa because he met the requirements.
According to him, every country has its own requirement for the granting of visa and in Nigeria’s situation especially against “the back drop of our security challenges, we also have our requirement for granting of visas”.
He added: “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 would amount to double standards to deny the cleric visa because “when the Nigerian government signed the anti-gay law and the west was complaining, we stated that Nigeria nation is a sovereign country that should be allowed to determine its destiny and practices”.
Nigeria, he said, 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 is inimical to the situation of this country”.
He went on: “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”, he stated.
