The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerian citizens in Mozambique and has called for their immediate release.
The reaction was made by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who described the incident as disturbing and unacceptable.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the commission expressed concern that the Nigerians were reportedly arrested without any formal charges.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, the situation is particularly troubling because the individuals involved were allegedly singled out during an operation carried out at a spare parts market. She noted that if any of them had violated the laws of Mozambique, the appropriate action should be to charge them before a competent court rather than detaining them without explanation.
She further stated that the selective arrest of Nigerians suggests a possible case of xenophobia against Nigerian citizens.
Reports indicate that the arrested individuals are legal residents in Mozambique. It was also revealed that the country’s Attorney-General is reportedly unaware of any official charges filed against them.
NiDCOM also alleged that some of the detained Nigerians were beaten during the arrest, had their personal belongings confiscated, and several of them are currently sick and require medical attention.
The commission therefore urged Mozambican authorities to either release the detainees immediately or follow due legal process by charging them in court.
NiDCOM reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerians living abroad and called for fair and humane treatment of the affected individuals.
