A growing number of Nigerian nationals living in India have raised alarm over alleged incidents of police brutality, extortion, and inhumane treatment, pleading with the Nigerian government to facilitate their return home.
Speaking anonymously in an interview with Vanguard, one Nigerian citizen recounted harrowing experiences, accusing Indian police of seizing phones, demanding bribes, and threatening imprisonment with fabricated drug charges for those who refuse to pay.
“If you can’t pay what they ask, they’ll lock you up or dump you in a deportation camp,” he said.
“Even some Nigerians are working with the police to exploit their fellow citizens. The Nigerian embassy has done little to intervene, which is why this continues unchecked.”
He recalled multiple protests aimed at drawing attention to the plight of Nigerians in India, including demonstrations outside the Nigerian Embassy, but claimed the situation remains unchanged.
One particularly tragic case he highlighted was that of his friend, Peter Ugbekile, son of the late Chief Felix Ugbekile.
Peter, known fondly as “Pino Pino,” allegedly died after being beaten in police custody on June 10.
Despite calls for justice, he said, the Indian police have not released CCTV footage from the incident, nor made any arrests.
“His head was bleeding in a video clip. He had bruises on his back. I believe they killed him with bricks,” the source stated, adding that instead of pursuing the culprits, police arrested 12 Nigerians after the incident.
Conditions in deportation camps, he said, are deplorable.
Many detainees, including women and children, are reportedly dying due to lack of proper care and their inability to pay overstay fines.
He described his personal ordeal: “Last year in September, I paid almost one lakh rupees to get out. I’ve been arrested multiple times. Each time, they extort me. I even sold my land in Nigeria just to buy my freedom.”
He stressed that many Nigerians like him are eager to return home but cannot afford the exit penalties imposed by Indian authorities.
“If the Nigerian government can help us with free flights and waive the fines, I’ll return without hesitation. I’ve lost everything.”
When asked about support from the Nigerian Embassy, he replied, “I don’t know.”
Reacting to the developments, Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the Nigerian High Commission in New Delhi is aware of Peter’s death and is working with local authorities and community leaders to uncover the facts.
Abdulrahman Balogun, spokesman for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), said no fresh case has been formally reported but promised that any new incidents will be thoroughly investigated in collaboration with the High Commission.
“The Nigerian government will not condone any unjust treatment of its citizens. Diplomatic steps will be taken to ensure justice,” Balogun said.
Efforts by Vanguard to get a response from the Indian High Commission in Nigeria were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
According to a December 2024 report by The Hindu, 1,470 of the 2,331 foreigners deported from India between April 2023 and March 2024 were Nigerians — the highest number from any single nationality.
For Nigerians whose visas have expired, India offers an Exit Permit through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) portal, allowing legal departure without arrest.
However, fines for overstaying range from ₹5,000 to over ₹50,000, depending on the duration of the overstay.
