By Fatima Saka
The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has strongly condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, describing the action as unjustified and potentially xenophobic.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by NIDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern that the Nigerians were allegedly detained without any formal charges or explanation from the authorities.
She described it as “distasteful” that only Nigerians were reportedly singled out during the operation, raising serious questions about the motive behind the arrests.
According to her, if the affected individuals had committed any offence, the appropriate legal procedure would be to arraign them before a competent court of law rather than detaining them arbitrarily.
“The reported sudden and targeted arrest of only Nigerians suggests a xenophobic attack on Nigerian citizens,” she stated.
Dabiri-Erewa called on Mozambican authorities to either release the detainees immediately or ensure that due legal process is followed.
Reports indicate that the Nigerians were allegedly rounded up at a spare parts market, where they were specifically singled out from among other traders and individuals present, without any stated reason for their detention.
Further information revealed that the detained individuals are legal residents in Mozambique, while the country’s Attorney General is reportedly unaware of any charges filed against them.
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The situation has also raised humanitarian concerns, as some of the detainees were allegedly beaten, had their personal belongings confiscated, and are reportedly in poor health, with several requiring urgent medical attention.
NIDCOM reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerians abroad and urged swift intervention to resolve the matter.
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