The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, describing the development as troubling and unacceptable.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Commission, expressed concern in a statement signed by NiDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
She urged Mozambican authorities to either release the detainees immediately or formally charge them under the law.
“It is disturbing that Nigerians appear to have been singled out for arrest without any clear offence,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
“If they have violated any law, they should be properly arraigned before a competent court.”
According to NiDCOM, the Nigerians were apprehended at a spare parts market, where they were allegedly targeted among other traders and detained without explanation.
The Commission described the incident as potentially xenophobic, noting that the selective nature of the arrests raises serious concerns about discrimination against Nigerian nationals.
“The sudden roundup of Nigerians alone suggests a pattern that could be perceived as xenophobic,” Dabiri-Erewa added.
NiDCOM also revealed that the detained individuals are legal residents in Mozambique and that no charges have been filed against them.
Reports indicated that some were beaten, personal belongings confiscated, and several are now ill and in need of urgent medical attention.
The Commission called on Mozambican authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of the detainees while due process is observed.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and demanded swift diplomatic intervention to resolve the matter.
She further assured that NiDCOM would continue to monitor the situation and engage relevant stakeholders to safeguard Nigerians in the diaspora and uphold justice.
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