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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says 40 of the 42 Nigerians arrested in Mozambique have been deported back to Nigeria.
A statement issued on Tuesday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s director of media, public relations and protocols, the commission said the deportees arrived in Nigeria in three batches on March 24, 26 and 27.
According to the statement, the returnees arrived aboard South African Airways flight SA60 and an Ethiopian Airlines flight in batches of 13, 16 and 11, respectively, while two Nigerians remain in Mozambique.
The commission said the deportation did not follow due process, describing the action as inhuman and a violation of the affected persons’ rights.
Balogun said the Nigerians were allegedly arrested at their business premises despite having valid residency documents.
He added that although Mozambican authorities cited immigration issues, documents presented by the deportees suggested otherwise.
“Some of the deportees who were received by NIDCOM staff in Lagos claimed that their money and some other valuables taken from them while in detention were not given back to them upon deportation while huge sums were also taken from their mobile app,” the statement reads.
“It is saddening that while all of these were going on, the Mozambican authorities did not reach out to the Nigerian Embassy while all emissaries from the Embassy were rebuffed.”
The commission added that the affected Nigerians were detained for several days before being deported.
Of the two Nigerians still in Mozambique, the commission said one is married to a Mozambican citizen, while the other was born in the country.
Meanwhile, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chair of the commission, has urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm over reports of violence against some Nigerians during a cultural festival.
Dabiri-Erewa said the incident may have resulted from misunderstanding, adding that the Nigerian high commission in South Africa is investigating the matter.
She called on all parties to exercise restraint while efforts are underway to resolve the situation.
