NIDCOM Condemns Arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique as Baseless and Xenophobic
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has expressed deep concern and anger over the arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, describing the action as targeted, baseless, and unwarranted. In a strongly worded statement issued on March 8, 2026, the commission's Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned the incident and demanded the immediate release of the detained individuals.
Details of the Arrest and Allegations
According to NIDCOM, the Nigerians were specifically singled out and arrested at a spare parts market in Mozambique, with no allegations or explanations provided for their detention. The commission reported that the arrested individuals, who are legal residents, were handpicked from among other traders in the market, suggesting a xenophobic motive behind the police action.
In the press release shared on NIDCOM's X (formerly Twitter) page, it was stated that the Nigerians were beaten during the arrest, their personal belongings were stolen, and many have fallen sick, requiring urgent medical attention. The Attorney General of Mozambique is reportedly unaware of any charges against them, further highlighting the lack of legal basis for their detention.
NIDCOM's Response and Demands
Abike Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that if the Nigerians have violated any laws, they should be properly arraigned and charged in a court of law, rather than subjected to arbitrary arrest and mistreatment. She labeled the roundup as a xenophobic attack on Nigerian citizens and urged the Mozambican authorities to either release them immediately or allow the legal process to proceed transparently.
The statement, signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NIDCOM, called for swift action to address this injustice and protect the rights of Nigerians abroad.
Broader Context of Harassment Against Nigerians in Africa
This incident is part of a troubling pattern of targeted harassment against Nigerians in other African countries. In recent years, similar events have occurred:
- In 2020, Nigerian traders faced attacks in Ghana, prompting strong reactions from the Nigerian government.
- In 2019, hundreds of Nigerians were evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks on their businesses in Johannesburg.
- In 2024, a South African-Nigerian beauty pageant contestant, Miss Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, experienced controversy and xenophobic backlash.
Critics have blamed Nigeria's lack of a decisive foreign policy for the continuous harassment of its citizens abroad. While NIDCOM works to protect diaspora interests, the prolonged absence of envoys in several countries has been cited as a weakness in Nigeria's diplomatic efforts.
Diplomatic Efforts and Future Steps
In response to such challenges, President Tinubu recently approved the posting of career and non-career ambassadors to Nigerian embassies worldwide. Amb. Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley, a career diplomat, has been assigned to Mozambique. One of his initial tasks will be to engage with the Mozambican government to secure the release of the arrested Nigerians and address broader issues of xenophobia and legal protection for Nigerian residents.
NIDCOM continues to monitor the situation closely, advocating for the rights and safety of Nigerians in the diaspora and calling for international cooperation to prevent such incidents in the future.
