FG Reacts As 13 Of 42 Nigerians Arrested In Mozambique Are Deported [Photos]

Thirteen Nigerians, part of a group of 42 citizens previously arrested in Mozambique, have been deported to Nigeria despite reportedly committing no known offences. According to Ireporter Online, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) confirmed the deportation in a statement issued on Friday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit. The deportees arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The commission noted that Mozambican authorities claimed the affected Nigerians lacked proper documentation. However, the deportees reportedly provided evidence showing they held valid documents permitting them to reside in the country, except for one individual whose visa had expired a day before the deportation.

Receiving the returnees on behalf of NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the commission’s representative, Dipo Odebowale, stated that the Nigerians were not treated fairly. He expressed optimism that the Minister of Foreign Affairs would raise the issue with his Mozambican counterpart.

The deportees, who arrived in Nigeria aboard South African Airways flight SA60, said they were arrested at their various business premises in Maputo and detained despite holding valid residency documentation. They further disclosed that 29 other Nigerians remain in detention in Mozambique, calling for urgent intervention by Nigerian authorities.

All the deported individuals, adult males, appealed to NiDCOM for assistance in securing justice and redress for the treatment they endured. Dabiri-Erewa expressed sympathy over their ordeal, welcomed them back to Nigeria, and urged Nigerians living abroad to respect the laws of their host countries. She emphasised that no Nigerian should face punishment for offences they did not commit.

The full list of Nigerians deported includes Augustine Chukwuka Okeke, Maximus Anayo, Okechukwu Benjamin Eche, Anaerobi Ikenna Martins, Stephen Anayo Okongwe, Onwujwe Raymond, Chukwunazorom Donatus John, Aginam Chukwuenyem David, Collins Aderito Uzoewulu, Okonkwo Nnamdi Johnpaul, Onwunyili Lawrence Chukwuemeka, Ugochukwu Valentine Ezechiedum, Nnamdi Okechukwu, Celestine Okalu, Goodluck Chukwunyere Ephrain, Ebuka Amuh Pablo, Chukwuemeka Steven Ugwu, Cislouyindika Ifeanyi Ezeifeoma, Chinedu Daniel Igwilo, Ideh Samuel Ezinwa, Ogochukwu Michael Okonkwo, Okechukwu Christopher, Chinedu Okeke, Chukwuebuka TobeChukwu Oraka, Simon Nnaemeka, Onyeka Emmanuel Ufondo, Chidera Christopher, Nzube Kingsley Ebere, Ekene Samuel Nwana, Christian Emeka Muoka, Gerald Emeka Godwin, Ogu Inyang, Oluebubechukwu Victor Maduka, Onyedika Kingsley, Donatus Uchi, Chinecherem Alu, Emmanuel Anene Ugwu, Muoneke Mateus, Martin Tochukwu Mbakwe, Ikechukwu Nwali, Lotanna Okeke, and Emeka Henry Ekenta.