Thirteen out of 42 Nigerians, who had earlier been arrested, in Mozambique have been deported with no known charges or offences, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has confirmed.
Recall that the Federal Government had called on Mozambican authorities to immediately release the detained Nigerians or properly arraign them in line with due process.
The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made the demand on behalf of Nigeria.
However, the commission, while giving updates on Friday, said thirteen out of the 42 arrested Nigerians have been deported.
A statement issued in Abuja by NIDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, confirmed that the deportees were received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
They were received by Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), who was represented by Mr Dipo Odebowale.
“The returnees were warmly welcomed to Nigeria and the NIDCOM boss expressed sympathy for their unpleasant experience, while encouraging them to maintain a positive outlook for the future.
“The deportees who arrived via South African Airways flight SA60, reported that they were arrested at their respective business premises in Maputo, detained without committing any offence, despite holding valid documents permitting their continued residence in Mozambique.
“They further indicated that 29 Nigerians remain incarcerated in Maputo and appealed for urgent intervention on their behalf.“Among the deportees were all adult males, who sought the Commission’s assistance in securing justice and redress for the injustices they endured,” the statement said.
“While the Mozambican authorities claimed they had no proper documentation, all the deportees, except one, whose visa expired a day before the deportation, showed evidence of complete documentation,” the statement further noted.
In her reaction, Dabiri-Erewa noted that the Nigerians were not treated fairly by the Mozambique authorities.
The NIDCOM boss said that it is distasteful to learn that only Nigerians were allegedly handpicked for arrest.She expressed confidence that the Minister of Foreign Affairs will take the matter up with the Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Dabiri-Erewa, while appealing to Nigerians to obey laws of countries they reside, emphasised that no Nigerian should be punished for an offence they did not commit.
