The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, describing the move 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 raised concerns that the Nigerians were reportedly detained without any formal charges being brought against them.
According to the NiDCOM boss, “It was disturbing that only Nigerians were reportedly singled out during the operation”.
Describing the incident as distasteful and worrying, she stressed that “if any of the individuals had violated Mozambican laws, the appropriate step would be to arraign them before a court of competent jurisdiction rather than detain them without explanation”.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that the alleged selective arrest of Nigerians suggests what could be described as a xenophobic action against Nigerian citizens.
She therefore urged the Mozambican authorities to either immediately release the detained Nigerians or follow due legal process by formally charging them in court.
“According to reports, the Nigerians were allegedly picked up at a spare parts market, where they were singled out among other traders and individuals present at the location without any clear allegations or explanations for their arrest,” the statement noted.
The statement added that the individuals involved have been confirmed to be legal residents in Mozambique, while the country’s Attorney General is reportedly unaware of any charges filed against them.
“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 Commission alleged.
NiDCOM reiterated its call for fair treatment and respect for the rights of Nigerians living abroad.