•Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri Erewa
Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has confirmed the deportation of 40 out of 42 Nigerians arrested and locked up for weeks in Mozambique.
In the same vein, the Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has advised Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm as the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is looking into allegations of violence meted out on some Nigerians celebrating a cultural festival in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa said it must have been a serious case of misconception and misinterpretation, urging both sides to remain calm as the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is looking into the matter, reports NAN.
Deportees from Mozambique arrived in Nigeria in three batches of 13, 16 and 11 respectively aboard a South African Airways flight, SA60 and an Ethiopian Airlines flight on March 24, 26 and 27, with two of them remaining in Mozambique.
The Commission noted that the deportation did not follow due process.
A statement by the Commission’s Spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, described such an act as inhuman and a violation of their human rights, as they were randomly arrested, detained and deported despite having their proper documentation.
Though the Mozambique authorities claimed immigration issues, the documents provided by the Nigerians showed otherwise.
Some of the deportees, who were received by NIDCOM staff in Lagos, claimed that their money and some other valuables taken from them while in detention were not given back to them upon deportation, while huge sums were also taken from their mobile apps.
Recall that the 42 Nigerians were arrested at their various business locations despite possessing valid residency documents.
Some of those affected alleged that the arrests were carried out without prior notice, insisting they had complied with all legal requirements to live and work in Mozambique.
They further claimed they were detained for days before deportation.
Of the two Nigerians not deported, one is married to a Mozambican, while the other was born there .
While Mozambican authorities have not issued an official statement on the incident, the development is likely to raise fresh concerns over the treatment of foreign nationals and the enforcement of immigration regulations in the country.
