The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, describing the incident as unacceptable and demanding their immediate release.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja and signed by the Commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern that the Nigerians were reportedly arrested without any formal charges being filed against them.
According to her, it was disturbing that the operation allegedly targeted Nigerians alone.
“It was disturbing that only Nigerians were reportedly singled out during the operation,” she said.
The NiDCOM boss described the development as both distasteful and worrying, stressing that if any of the individuals had violated the laws of Mozambique, the proper step would be to charge them before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“If any of the individuals had violated Mozambican laws, the appropriate step would be to arraign them before a court rather than detain them without explanation,” she stated.
Dabiri-Erewa further noted that the alleged selective arrest could suggest a xenophobic action against Nigerian citizens living in the southern African country.
She therefore urged Mozambican authorities to either release the detained Nigerians immediately or follow due legal process by formally charging them in court.
According to the statement, the Nigerians were reportedly picked up at a spare parts market where they were allegedly singled out among other traders and individuals present without any clear accusations.
The Commission added that the affected individuals have been confirmed to be legal residents of Mozambique, while the country’s Attorney General was reportedly unaware of any charges filed against them.
NiDCOM also raised concerns about the welfare of the detainees, alleging that some of them were assaulted during the arrest.
“Some of the detained Nigerians were beaten, had their personal belongings confiscated, and several of them are currently ill and in need of medical attention,” the statement claimed.
The Commission reiterated its call for fair treatment and respect for the rights of Nigerians living abroad, urging authorities in Mozambique to ensure justice and uphold international human rights standards.
