The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has raised alarm over the deportation of 40 Nigerians from Mozambique, describing the action as a breach of due process and a violation of their rights.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Commission’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, labelled the deportations “inhuman,” noting that the affected individuals were arrested and expelled despite holding proper documentation.
The deportees returned to Nigeria in three groups of 13, 16, and 11 passengers aboard South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on March 24, 26, and 27.
Two Nigerians were reported to still be in Mozambique.
Balogun explained that the Mozambican authorities claimed the arrests were part of immigration enforcement operations in the capital, Maputo.
“Those affected were randomly detained and deported, even though they had the necessary documents to reside in Mozambique,” he said.
NIDCOM further revealed that one of the remaining Nigerians is married to a Mozambican citizen, while the other was born in the country.
The Commission expressed concern that the Nigerian Embassy’s attempts to intervene were ignored by Mozambican officials.
The statement also alleged that money confiscated from the detainees during their detention was not returned, and additional funds were reportedly deducted from their mobile applications.
According to NIDCOM, all 42 Nigerians were arrested at their workplaces, despite holding valid residence permits.
Some deportees claimed they were taken without warning and had complied with all legal requirements to live and work in Mozambique.
“They were detained for several days before being processed for deportation,” the statement added.
Last week, the Commission reported that 13 of the 42 Nigerians had already been deported, with the remaining 29 still in custody at the time.
The first group of deportees arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday, March 27, without any formal charges being filed.
Mozambican authorities reportedly argued that the Nigerians lacked valid documentation.
However, the deportees insisted that all had proper residence permits, except for one whose visa had expired a day before deportation.
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