NIDCOM moves to secure release of 42 Nigerians held in Mozambique

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has called on Mozambican authorities to ensure due process for 42 Nigerians reportedly detained in the country, urging that the detainees either be formally charged or released immediately.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Commission’s spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, noted that while the Mozambican National Criminal Investigation Service confirmed detaining only the 42 Nigerians, no official communication has been provided regarding the circumstances of their arrest.

NIDCOM’s Chairman and CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the Commission had received numerous distress calls from families of the detainees, expressing concern for their welfare. She alleged that personal belongings, including mobile phones and money, were confiscated at the time of arrest.

“Their families have been reaching out with distress calls and are worried about the condition of their spouses,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
“They confiscated their cell phones, personal belongings and money with them at the time of arrest. The Embassy has written to their Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the office of the Attorney General.”

Dabiri-Erewa stressed that while the Nigerian government does not condone criminal activity by its citizens abroad, no Nigerian should be detained without clear information on the alleged offence.

“If indeed the Nigerians committed any offence, the authorities should formally charge them to a court of law, make the offence public or set them free as against illegally detaining them,” she said.

The Commission released the full list of the detained Nigerians, including: Augustine Okeke, Maximus Anayo, Okechukwu Eche, Anaerobi Martins, Stephen Okongwe, Onwujewe Raymond, Chukwunazorom John, Aginam David, Collins Uzoewulu, Okonkwo Johnpaul, Onwunyili Chukwuemeka, Ugochukwu Ezechiedum, Nnamdi Okechukwu, Celestine Okalu, Goodluck Ephrain, Ebuka Pablo, Chukwuemeka Ugwu, Cislouyindika Ezeifeoma, Chinedu Igwilo, Ideh Ezinwa, Ogochukwu Okonkwor, Okechukwu Christopher, Chinedu Okeke, Chukwuebuka Oraka, Simon Nnaemeka, Onyeka Ufondo, Chidera Christopher, Nzube Ebere, Ekene Nwana, Christian Muoka, Gerald Godwin, Ogu Inyang, Oluebubechukwu Maduka, Onyedika Kingsley, Donatus Uchi, Chinecherem Alu, Emmanuel Ugwu, Muoneke Mateus, Martin Mbakwe, Ikechukwu Nwali, Lotanna Okeke, Emeka Henry Ekenta.

NIDCOM confirmed it will continue engaging with the Nigerian High Commission and Mozambican authorities to ensure the detainees’ safety and fair treatment.