NIGERIA has expressed concern over the alleged humiliation of its nationals living in Zimbabwe and urged Harare to address the situation to ensure strong bilateral relations are not undermined.

The country’s Senate President, David Mark, expressed Abuja’s concern when he met Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe in the Nigerian capital Tuesday.

Khupe said she was visiting the West African country in a bid to work with Nigerian parliamentarians on ensuring that African leaders implement policies aimed at addressing the continent’s developmental challenges..

But Senator Mark said he wanted Harare to address the alleged harassment of foreign national in order to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

In a statement, the Senator claimed that “Nigerians consistently face humiliation in their daily activities either with the immigration officials or other security agencies” in Zimbabwe.

Officials accuse Nigerian immigrants of fuelling trade in drugs, fraudulent activities, ritualistic sex offences, as well as entering marriages of convenience with locals.

Early this year, a group of Nigerians demonstrated outside the country’s embassy in Harare protesting "mistreatment" by Zimbabwean law enforcement agencies and the immigration department.

And across the border in South Africa authorities recently stepped up deportations to the West African country but backtracked after Abuja retaliated by deporting scores of South Africans.

Meanwhile Senator Mark said told Khupe his country would support Zimbabwe’s on-going political reforms which are expected to culminate in new elections next year.

“Nigeria will contribute towards ensuring that true democracy reign in Zimbabwe," the Senate president said.