Nigeria Govt Reacts as 42 Nigerians Arrested in Mozambique
By Tessy Ogbemi
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reacted strongly to the arrest of 42 Nigerian citizens in Mozambique, describing the incident as disturbing and calling for their immediate release if no charges have been filed against them.
The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned the arrests, stating that the action was unacceptable and raised serious concerns about the treatment of Nigerians abroad.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja and signed by the Commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern that the Nigerians were allegedly arrested without any formal charges.
According to her, it was troubling that Nigerians were reportedly singled out during the operation.
“It is disturbing that only Nigerians were reportedly singled out during the operation,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa described the incident as distasteful and worrying, noting that if any of the individuals had violated Mozambican laws, the appropriate step would be to arraign them before a competent court rather than detain them without explanation.
She further noted that the alleged selective arrest could suggest a xenophobic action against Nigerian citizens living in the southern African country.
The NiDCOM boss therefore urged the authorities in Mozambique to either release the detained Nigerians immediately or formally charge them in court in line with due legal process.
Reports indicate that the Nigerians were arrested at a spare parts market where they were allegedly singled out among other traders present at the location without any clear allegations or explanation for their arrest.
The statement added that the detained individuals have been confirmed to be legal residents in Mozambique, while the country’s Attorney-General is reportedly unaware of any charges filed against them.
NiDCOM also alleged that some of the detainees were beaten during the arrest, had their personal belongings confiscated, and that several of them are currently ill and in need of medical attention.
The Commission reiterated its call for fair treatment, protection of human rights, and respect for the dignity of Nigerians living abroad, while urging the Mozambican authorities to ensure justice and due process in handling the matter.
