NIDCOM CONDEMNS DEPORTATION OF NIGERIANS FROM MOZAMBIQUE, ALLEGES RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Read Time:1 Minute, 54 Second
By: Muftau Fatimo
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has confirmed that 40 of the 42 Nigerians arrested in Mozambique have been deported, emphasizing that proper procedures were not observed.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Commission’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, described the deportation as “inhuman” and a violation of the rights of those affected.
The statement noted that the deportees returned to Nigeria in three groups of 13, 16, and 11, respectively, aboard South African Airways flight SA60 and Ethiopian Airlines on March 24, 26, and 27. Two Nigerians remain in Mozambique.
“The deportation did not follow due process. The individuals were randomly arrested, detained, and deported despite holding valid documentation,” the statement said.
The Commission stated that Mozambican authorities claimed the arrests were part of immigration enforcement operations in the capital, Maputo.
NIDCOM further noted that one of the two Nigerians still in Mozambique is married to a Mozambican citizen, while the other is a native-born resident of the country.
READ MORE :
2027: WIKE REFUTES CLAIMS OF ENDORSING CANDIDATES FOR RIVERS ELECTIONS
“It is disheartening that throughout these events, the Mozambican authorities did not contact the Nigerian Embassy, and all attempts by embassy officials to intervene were rejected,” the statement added.
The Commission further alleged that money confiscated from the Nigerians during detention was not returned upon their deportation, with additional funds reportedly deducted from their mobile accounts.
The 42 Nigerians were reportedly arrested at their various business locations despite holding valid residency documents.
Some of the deportees stated that the arrests were carried out without prior notice and maintained that they had complied with all legal requirements to live and work in Mozambique.
“They were detained for several days before being processed for deportation,” the statement said.
Last week, NIDCOM revealed that 13 of the 42 arrested Nigerians had already been deported, while 29 others remained in custody at the time.
The 13 deportees arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday, March 27, 2026, without any formal charges having been filed against them.
Mozambican authorities had claimed that the Nigerians lacked proper documentation. However, the deportees insisted they held valid residence permits, except for one individual whose visa had expired a day before deportation.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0