The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called on the Cape Verdean authorities to immediately release and repatriate six Nigerian tourists who were detained upon arrival in the island country.
According to a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit at NiDCOM on Wednesday, the tourists — who had travelled from Senegal to Cape Verde for vacation — were stopped by immigration officials, accused of not having sufficient funds, had their phones confiscated, and were subsequently detained at an immigration deportation camp at the airport.
NiDCOM expressed deep concern over reports that the detainees are experiencing distress and trauma, with one of them allegedly being denied access to essential medication for an undisclosed medical condition.
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“We appeal to the Immigration authorities in Cape Verde to please treat the tourists with respect and dignity and put them on the next immediate return flight to Dakar for onward connection back to Nigeria,” the statement read.
The detained tourists have been identified as David James Udoh, Lily Dada, Oghenero Adaware, Sherifat Abimbola Ogundairo, and Jesutomi Aina. The group had reportedly booked their vacation through a travel agency, Ìrìn Travels, which operates via the handles @irintravels and @theFARAWAY.
NiDCOM noted that the families of the detained individuals, aged between 25 and 31, are anxious and worried about their safety and wellbeing.
The case has since been reported to Nigeria’s Consular and Migration Directorate in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further diplomatic intervention.
