Inside Ethiopian prison where Nigerians erupted in celebration

The Federal Government has secured an agreement with the Ethiopian government that will allow incarcerated Nigerian nationals serving prison terms in Ethiopia to be transferred home to complete their custodial sentences.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this following a visit to Nigerian inmates at Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia.

According to the minister, the agreement marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to protect the welfare and rights of Nigerians living abroad, regardless of their circumstances.

Describing the mood among the inmates during the visit, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the prisoners expressed overwhelming joy and renewed hope at the prospect of serving the remainder of their sentences in Nigeria under the newly signed arrangement between both countries.

“The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Our incarcerated nationals were ecstatic. Happiness renewed; hope renewed,” she said.

The minister noted that the development aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places a strong emphasis on the welfare of Nigerian citizens both at home and abroad.

She stressed that the wellbeing of Nigerians overseas remains a priority for the administration, adding that the government would continue to pursue policies and diplomatic engagements aimed at safeguarding the interests of its citizens across the world.

While details of the agreement were not immediately disclosed, the arrangement is expected to facilitate the transfer of eligible Nigerian prisoners from Ethiopian correctional facilities to Nigeria, where they will serve out the remainder of their jail terms in accordance with applicable laws and international protocols.

The development is being viewed as a major relief for affected inmates and their families, many of whom have faced challenges associated with imprisonment far from home.