Nigeria removed from list of countries eligible for Turkish e-Visa
Nigerians have reportedly been barred from accessing the e-visa provisions of Republic of Turkey.
Leadership Newspaper reported that Nigerian visa applicants have been advised to apply via any Turkish Consulate. The sudden change came without prior notice or communication from the Turkish Mission in Nigeria.
It however came shortly after some suspected terrorists attacked Kuje prison in Abuja and freed some high-profile Boko Haram terrorists.
One of the affected Nigerians said in a viral message;
“Just putting this out there. Someone out there with a Schengen /UK/US visa might be booking a ticket to Turkey right now thinking they will apply for a visa electronically. DONOT. Turkey decided to delist Nigerians from the e-visa list yesterday evening. With no prior warning/ communication. They clearly don’t rate us. Anyway all Nigerians have to apply via the consulate wherever they are.
“Turns out so many people are/were planning to go to Turkey soon. Honestly, just apply through the consulate. There is still no information online. No press release, nothing! They are disrespectful. An agent told me she applied on behalf of someone yesterday and within the space of 5 minutes the message on the site had changed. Apparently, it has something to do with the “prison break”/ concerns of terrorism.
“Unfortunately, nationals of the country that you selected are not eligible for e-visa. Kindly visit the nearest Turkish mission to apply for a visa application. Please visit http:www.visa.gov.tr for the full list of the Turkish Embassies and Consulates.”
Members of the diplomatic community such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada also issued security alerts to its citizens in Nigeria after the jail break.