Concerns Mount as Foreign Sex Offenders Gain Entry into Nigeria Amid Immigration Scrutiny Failures

 

A wave of public alarm has swept through Nigeria following revelations that individuals with troubling criminal records abroad have been allowed to enter and integrate into Nigerian society, raising urgent questions about the effectiveness of the country’s immigration vetting processes.

At the center of the controversy is Frank Joseph Avbel, a convicted child sex offender from Washington State, USA. Avbel, who reportedly served time for offenses involving minors, is said to have been granted a Nigerian visa. Social media has since been ablaze with posts claiming that he has not only entered the country legally but also tied the knot with a Nigerian woman at the widely known Ikoyi Marriage Registry in Lagos.

Eyewitness accounts further allege that Avbel has been seen in close proximity to children on multiple occasions since arriving in Nigeria, sparking concerns from parents and child safety advocates. The revelations have intensified public demand for immigration reforms, especially with regard to the vetting of foreigners seeking residency or long-term stays.

These concerns have been exacerbated by reports involving another controversial figure — British DJ Tim Westwood. Once a prominent name in the UK music scene, Westwood has been the subject of multiple sexual misconduct allegations, including predatory behavior targeting young women, some as young as 14. Though he has denied the allegations, public backlash and formal investigations in the UK have cast a long shadow over his career.

According to investigative journalism platform West Africa Weekly, Westwood has relocated to Nigeria and appears to be rebranding himself as a chef. Sources claim he has been actively participating in Lagos’ vibrant social scene, recently hosting a nightlife event at Oniru Private Beach. His involvement in public gatherings and youth-centric spaces has triggered alarm bells among citizens familiar with his controversial history abroad.

The presence of individuals like Avbel and Westwood in Nigeria has ignited a broader debate about the nation's immigration protocols and the apparent lack of collaboration with international criminal databases. Critics argue that, in an increasingly interconnected world, such oversights are both dangerous and inexcusable.

“Nigeria is not a dumping ground for foreign predators,” stated human rights activist Adaeze Nwokolo during a recent panel on immigration policy in Abuja. “If our system cannot flag people like Avbel, who have a clear and documented history of child abuse, then it is failing at its most basic responsibility — protecting our children.”

Security analysts and policy experts are now urging the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to strengthen its due diligence mechanisms, especially through enhanced cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies, including Interpol. Calls are also growing for the Ministry of Interior to introduce mandatory background checks for all visa applicants, particularly those seeking residency or entering into marriage with Nigerian citizens.

Meanwhile, social media has become a hotbed of discourse, with hashtags like #ProtectNigerianChildren and #StopPredators trending across platforms. Nigerians are sharing stories, tagging immigration authorities, and demanding transparency regarding how such individuals are able to bypass scrutiny and settle in the country.

While the government has yet to issue a formal statement in response to the unfolding controversy, insiders within the Ministry of Interior suggest that internal reviews are underway. However, activists and concerned citizens argue that reactive measures are no longer sufficient.

“This is a wake-up call,” said Lagos-based lawyer and child rights advocate, Tunde Osikoya. “We must rethink our immigration strategy, because right now, it's clear that dangerous loopholes are being exploited. And until there's accountability, we remain at risk.”

As public pressure mounts, the spotlight remains firmly on Nigeria’s immigration authorities — and their next steps may well determine whether this moment becomes a turning point or a missed opportunity in safeguarding the nation’s most vulnerable.