Mozambique Deports 13 Nigerians Without Charges, 29 Remain in Detention
In a controversial move, Mozambique has deported 13 Nigerians, despite most possessing valid travel and residence documents, while 29 others continue to be held in detention in Maputo. The deportations occurred without any formal charges, raising significant concerns over the treatment of Nigerian citizens by Mozambican authorities.
Unfair Treatment Alleged by Nigerian Officials
Receiving the returnees at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Mr Dipo Odebowale, representing the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned the development as unjust. He expressed hope that Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs would engage with Mozambican counterparts to address the situation and ensure fair treatment for all affected individuals.
The deportees arrived aboard South African Airways flight SA60 and reported being arrested at their business locations in Maputo. They emphasized that they had valid documentation permitting their stay, with only one individual having an expired visa that lapsed just a day before the deportation. This has led to accusations of wrongful detention and calls for urgent government intervention.
Appeals for Justice and Redress
All 13 deportees, who are adult males, have appealed to NiDCOM for assistance in seeking justice and redress for what they describe as unfair treatment. They highlighted the plight of the 29 Nigerians still detained, urging the Nigerian government to act swiftly to secure their release and address the documentation disputes.
In her response, Dabiri-Erewa sympathized with the returnees over their ordeal and advised Nigerians abroad to respect host country laws. However, she firmly stated that no Nigerian should be punished for offences they did not commit, reinforcing the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve such incidents amicably.
This incident underscores ongoing challenges in international relations and migrant rights, prompting calls for clearer protocols and fairer enforcement of immigration laws to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
