NiDCOM DEFENDS RESPONSE TO NIGERIANS DETAINED IN INDIA

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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has explained how it handled cases of Nigerians who were detained in a deportation camp in New Delhi, India.They said that the Indian authorities had offered an amnesty earlier, but some of the detainees didn’t use it.

This came after a journalist named Rufai Oseni and other Nigerians on social media criticized NiDCOM and its chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for not acting quickly to free a detainee named Ekene and more than 200 other Nigerians who were reportedly held at the Lampur detention center.

Oseni, who co–hosts a TV show called Arise TV, said he first brought up Ekene’s case weeks ago. Then, about a week before, he emailed NiDCOM with Ekene’s contact information after Dabiri-Erewa told him to use official channels.

Oseni claimed that even though NiDCOM initially responded, neither the commission nor the Nigerian embassy contacted Ekene.

“I spoke to Ekene this evening and he confirmed no one reached out,” Oseni posted on his X handle on Saturday.

“I have sent Abike Dabiri and NIDCOM the details of Ekene… they haven’t reached out to him! Nigerians, let’s beg her to help this man!”

He later added that Ekene told him more than 200 Nigerians were stranded at the Lampur detention centre, Sewa Sadan, in New Delhi, and described conditions there as “harrowing.”

The journalist also shared screenshots of correspondence and called for public help with flight logistics to enable Ekene to return home.

In an official email reply to Oseni on Sunday, which Dabiri-Erewa shared on X, NiDCOM said India had earlier granted a targeted amnesty to undocumented Nigerian migrants.

The programme began on May 1, 2025, as a six-month window and was later extended by three months following negotiations by Nigeria’s High Commissioner.

According to NiDCOM, over 4,000 Nigerians went back home through the amnesty program without facing any legal or administrative problems.

NiDCOM also mentioned that some people chose not to use the amnesty, and those individuals were later caught and sent to deportation camps.

NiDCOM stated, “Unfortunately, Ekene and a few others did not take advantage of this program or its later extension when it was still active.
Since he did not fix his legal status or leave during the allowed time, he was arrested and is now being held in a deportation camp.Please be aware that he is not the only one waiting to be deported.”

The email also said, “Unfortunately, the decision to deport people is up to the country where they are staying.
Host countries usually need to have a certain number of detainees before they can organize a flight to reduce the cost for their citizens.”

According to NiDCOM, over 4,000 Nigerians went back home through the amnesty program without facing any legal or administrative problems.

NiDCOM also mentioned that some people chose not to use the amnesty, and those individuals were later caught and sent to deportation camps.

“Kindly note that the Nigerian High Commission in India is still actively engaging with the Indian authorities to advocate for a fresh extension of the amnesty programme.”

It added that the NiDCOM legal team would continue to monitor the situation and noted the broader difficulties migrants face, including challenges finding jobs.

Oseni disputed the adequacy of the response, calling it a “glomar” reply issued only after public pressure and accusing NiDCOM of inefficiency.

He maintained that the focus should remain on helping Ekene and others return home, noting that the detainee is separated from his wife and children in Nigeria.

The exchange has drawn mixed reactions online, with some criticising the commission for what they described as slow action on individual cases.

Others argued that citizens who overstayed their visas or declined an available amnesty must bear responsibility under host-country laws.