The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa has expressed her disapproval of the reported detention of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique without formal charges, labeling the situation as troubling and unacceptable.
Dabiri-Erewa made these comments in a statement released in Abuja by the commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
She voiced her concern that the Nigerians appeared to have been specifically targeted for arrest among other vendors at a spare parts market.
It was “distasteful,” she noted, that only Nigerians were allegedly selected for detention without any justification from the authorities.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that if any of the detained individuals had broken Mozambican laws, they should be formally charged and brought before a legitimate court.
She also highlighted that the abrupt and targeted arrests of Nigerians raise alarms about a potential xenophobic attack against Nigerian nationals residing in Mozambique.
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Consequently, the NiDCOM leader urged the Mozambican authorities to either release the detainees immediately or ensure that proper legal procedures are followed.
Reports suggest that the Nigerians were specifically targeted at a spare parts market, despite the presence of traders from other countries.
The detained individuals are said to be legal residents of Mozambique, and the country’s Attorney-General reportedly has no knowledge of any charges against them.
Additionally, it has been claimed that some detainees were assaulted during the operation, and their personal belongings were confiscated. Several of them are also reported to be ill and in urgent need of medical care.
Dabiri-Erewa called on the Mozambican authorities to uphold the rights and dignity of Nigerians in the country and to ensure that justice and fairness are maintained.
