The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has confirmed that 40 out of 42 Nigerians arrested and detained in Mozambique have now been deported to Nigeria, describing the entire process as a serious violation of their fundamental human rights.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the Commission, through its spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the deportees returned to Nigeria in three separate batches on March 24, 26 and 27 aboard South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.
According to NIDCOM, 13 Nigerians arrived in the first batch, 16 in the second batch, and 11 in the third, bringing the total number of deportees to 40, while two others remain in Mozambique.
The Commission strongly criticised the manner in which the deportation was handled, insisting that the affected Nigerians were randomly arrested at their business premises despite allegedly having valid residency documents.
NIDCOM said the deportation process did not follow due process, adding that many of the victims were detained for days and later removed from the country without proper communication or cooperation with Nigerian diplomatic officials.
According to the Commission, documents presented by the affected Nigerians showed they were legally resident in Mozambique, directly contradicting claims by Mozambican authorities that the arrests were based on immigration violations.
The Commission described the treatment as inhuman, raising concerns over the way the Nigerians were allegedly handled throughout the detention and deportation process.
Some of the deportees, who were received by NIDCOM officials in Lagos, also accused Mozambican authorities of confiscating their cash, personal belongings and valuables while they were in detention.
Even more troubling, some of them alleged that money was withdrawn from their mobile applications while they were in custody, raising fresh concerns over possible abuse and exploitation during the period of detention.
NIDCOM also expressed frustration that while all of this was going on, Mozambican authorities allegedly failed to formally engage the Nigerian Embassy, despite efforts by Nigerian diplomatic representatives to intervene.
According to the Commission, all attempts by Nigerian embassy officials to gain access or establish proper diplomatic contact were reportedly rebuffed.
Meanwhile, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has also appealed for calm among Nigerians living in South Africa following reports of alleged attacks on some Nigerians during a cultural event.
She said the incident may have resulted from misunderstanding or misinterpretation, adding that the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is already investigating the matter.
Dabiri-Erewa urged all parties involved to remain calm and avoid escalating tensions while diplomatic channels continue to address the situation.
On the two Nigerians still in Mozambique, NIDCOM explained that one is married to a Mozambican citizen, while the other was born in the country, which may have affected the process surrounding their deportation.
The development has once again raised concerns over the treatment of Nigerians abroad and the urgent need for stronger diplomatic protection for citizens living and working outside the country.