NIDCOM condemns arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique

The chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, describing the development as disturbing.

Dabiri-Erewa called for the immediate release of the detained Nigerians or for them to be formally charged in accordance with the law.

According to a statement by the commission, the Nigerians, said to be legal residents in Mozambique, were allegedly singled out and arrested at a spare parts market during a raid without any explanation.

The commission also alleged that the detainees were beaten during the operation, while some reportedly had their personal belongings taken. It added that several of them had fallen ill and were in need of medical attention.

Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern that only Nigerians were targeted during the operation despite traders of other nationalities being present at the market, suggesting the incident may have been xenophobic.

She urged Mozambican authorities to either release the Nigerians or ensure due legal process if any offences had been committed.

“Our citizens deserve to be treated with dignity and fairness wherever they are,” she said, calling on the authorities to ensure justice in the matter.

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