NIDCOM Reacts Strongly After Mozambique Sends 40 Nigerians Back Home

The affected individuals were returned to Nigeria in three groups, with arrivals recorded on March 24, 26, and 27 aboard South African Airways flight SA60 and Ethiopian Airlines.

According to the commission, two of the detained Nigerians remain in Mozambique due to special circumstances.

In a statement, NiDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, criticized the deportation, describing it as inhumane and alleging that the individuals were arrested and deported despite holding valid documentation.

Although Mozambican authorities reportedly cited immigration-related concerns, documents presented by the returnees suggested otherwise.

Some of the deportees, who were received in Lagos, alleged that their personal belongings and money were not returned, while others claimed that funds were withdrawn from their accounts during detention.

The commission also raised concerns that the Nigerian Embassy was not informed of the arrests or detention, and that efforts by embassy officials to intervene were allegedly ignored.

Reports indicate that the Nigerians were arrested at their workplaces despite possessing valid residency permits, and were held for several days before being deported.

Of the two Nigerians still in Mozambique, one is married to a Mozambican citizen, while the other was born in the country.

Meanwhile, NiDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa has urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm following reports of violence involving Nigerians during a cultural event.

She attributed the incident to possible misunderstanding and noted that the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is already investigating the matter.

Dabiri-Erewa appealed for calm and assured that appropriate actions would be taken after investigations are concluded.

At the time of reporting, Mozambican authorities had yet to release an official statement on the deportation, which has raised fresh concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals and enforcement of immigration laws.