Abuja: The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique and called for their immediate release.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern over the incident, describing it as disturbing, particularly as the arrested Nigerians were reportedly detained without any offence being levelled against them.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of NIDCOM and made available via the Commission’s X official handle, the commission said it was “distasteful” that Nigerians were allegedly singled out for arrest.
She stated that if the individuals had violated any law, the Mozambican authorities should follow due process by arraigning and charging them before a competent court.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, the reported arrest of only Nigerians suggests a possible xenophobic action targeted at Nigerian citizens.
She urged the Mozambican authorities to either release the detainees immediately or ensure that due legal procedures are followed.
Reports indicated that the Nigerians were allegedly rounded up at a spare parts market, where they were specifically singled out for arrest among other traders and individuals present.
The arrested persons were said to be legal residents in Mozambique, while the country’s Attorney-General was reportedly unaware of any charges filed against them.
The statement further alleged that the detainees were beaten during the arrest, with some of their personal belongings reportedly taken away.
It added that several of the arrested Nigerians had fallen ill and were in need of urgent medical attention.
Dabiri-Erewa therefore appealed to the Mozambican authorities to treat the matter with urgency and ensure that the rights of the affected Nigerians are protected in accordance with international standards and the rule of law.
