The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, describing the action as disturbing and unacceptable.
Dabiri-Erewa called on the Mozambican authorities to immediately release the detained Nigerians or properly charge them before a court of law if they have committed any offence.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the NIDCOM boss expressed concern that only Nigerians were allegedly singled out during the operation.
She described the reported incident as distasteful, noting that the sudden arrest of only Nigerians suggests a possible xenophobic attack against Nigerian citizens.
According to reports, the affected Nigerians were allegedly rounded up at a spare parts market in Mozambique despite being among other traders and individuals present at the location. The detainees were reportedly arrested without any clear allegations or explanations from the authorities.
Dabiri-Erewa further stated that the arrested Nigerians have been confirmed to be legal residents, while the Attorney General in Mozambique is reportedly unaware of any formal charges against them.
She also raised concerns over reports that the detainees were allegedly beaten, had their personal belongings confiscated, and that some of them have fallen ill and require medical attention.
The NIDCOM boss urged the Mozambican government to ensure the safety and rights of the detained Nigerians while calling for their immediate release or due legal process.
