NIDCOM: 42 Nigerians beaten, detained without justifiable cause in Mozambique

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has narrated how 42 Nigerian traders were beaten up, arrested with their shops also looted in Mozambique without any offenses levelled against them.

NIDCOM boss Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM said this in a statement while condemning the arrest of the traders and demanding their immediate release.

Dabiri-Erewa in a statement in Abuja signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, her spokesperson lamented that only Nigerians were handpicked for arrest by the Mozambican authorities.

The statement indicated that the Nigerians were specifically singled out and arrested at a spare parts market out of all the traders and individuals present in the market without any allegations or explanations on why they were detained.

“They were allegedly beaten, their personal belongings stolen, and many of them are said to have fallen sick and in need of medical attention,” she said.

She said this was in spite of the fact that the Nigerians have been confirmed to be legal residents of Mozambique.

Dabiri-Erewa also said the Attorney General is reportedly not aware of any charges against them.

The NIDCOM boss said if the Nigerian traders have run afoul of the law, the authorities should arraign and charge them before a court of law.

She said the reported sudden and specific round up of only Nigerians depicts a xenophobic attack on Nigerian citizens.

Dabiri-Erewa therefore urged the Mozambican authorities to immediately release the arrested Nigerians or let the law take its course.