Panic in Bahrain over ‘African gang attack’ videos

TDT | Manama           

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

Both citizens and residents of Bahrain are urging the authorities to clamp down on robbery and other criminal activities allegedly carried out by nationals of African countries after many videos showing their frightening behaviour went viral on all social media platforms.

Many videos showing nationals of African countries going berserk across various streets have been causing panic among the public though the Ministry of Interior hasn’t confirmed that these videos have originated from the Kingdom.

However, there were media reports about robbery bids, unruly behaviour and beggary by the nationals of African countries. Among them was a horrible attack on a taxi driver, who had a narrow escape at the hands of robbers.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Ali Jamsheed, a Bahrain resident, said the authorities must take immediate action to arrest the fears about possible attacks by these gangs.

“There is panic among the public, whether a threat exists or not. Strict action from the part of authorities will only address the issue. Bahrain Police have always successfully dealt with such social security threats and we are confident that this will also be handled well, if at all such a threat exists,” said Jamsheed.

Another Bahrain resident said such incidents are adversely affecting the image of many African nationals, who have been residing in the Kingdom, strictly adhering to the laws of the land.

“African expatriates have a long history in the Kingdom and they are a major contributor. I have many Kenyan and Ethiopian friends. But these recent incidents are tarnishing their image too in the country, which is not at all a good thing.”

The Daily Tribune earlier reported about the entry of African nationals into the Kingdom in search of better opportunities and jobs. It is learnt that on the pretext of providing jobs in the Kingdom hundreds of youths from West African nations such as Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon have been duped by the fraudsters by handing over three-month multiple entry visit visas after taking amounts ranging between BD1,200 and BD1,500.

“I paid 1.5 million Nigerian Naira (BD1,350) to an agent in Lagos to reach here. He said upon reaching here I would be offered jobs with salaries ranging between BD400 and BD500. It has been a month now and everyday I walk at least 10 to 20 kms in the hot sun, searching for jobs,” a 23-year-old Nigerian national, a desperate jobseeker in the Kingdom, earlier told The Daily Tribune.

“I don’t have money to survive here, neither can I return home without success. I really don’t know what the future holds for me.” Social workers say that visa fraudsters are preying on not only jobseekers from Africa but also from South Asian countries including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

During the past few weeks, the Kingdom’s authorities have stepped up measures to tackle the functioning of human trafficking chains who bring in jobseekers in the guise of tourists. The Kingdom now provides tourist visas, which can be obtained online by presenting a bank statement with a minimum account balance of BD300.

The visitor should also present return tickets as well as documents of hotel booking. And people visiting their family members must present a copy of the resident’s CPR along with copies of power/water bills.