By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
Nigeria has officially demanded the release of 42 of its citizens detained in Mozambique, with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) condemning the arrests as a “xenophobic attack” and a violation of due process.
In a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, the Chairperson of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, called for the immediate release of the nationals or their swift arraignment in court, emphasizing that arbitrary detention is unacceptable.
The arrests reportedly occurred at a spare parts market and appeared to specifically target Nigerian traders. Disturbingly, NIDCOM stated that no formal charges have been filed against the detainees, and the office of Mozambique’s Attorney General is said to be unaware of any legal basis for the detentions.
“It is distasteful that Nigerians were allegedly singled out for arrest,” Dabiri-Erewa said in a statement issued through the agency’s Director of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun. She characterized the mass detention as a xenophobic action against Nigerian citizens residing in the country.
The Commission outlined serious allegations from the detainees, who are reportedly legal residents of Mozambique. According to NIDCOM, the individuals were not only detained without explanation but were allegedly beaten, robbed of their personal belongings, and have fallen ill while in custody, now requiring urgent medical attention.
While affirming Nigeria’s respect for the rule of law in Mozambique, Dabiri-Erewa stressed that due process must be followed. “If the affected persons have violated any law, the authorities should arraign and charge them before a court of law, not subject them to arbitrary detention,” she asserted.
Dabiri-Erewa has urged the Mozambican authorities to address the situation urgently, reiterating the Commission’s unwavering commitment to protecting the welfare and rights of Nigerian citizens abroad.
