The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seize the opportunity presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nigeria to negotiate the release of over 1.3 million Nigerians allegedly held in Indian prisons.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Nigeria on Saturday evening and was formally welcomed by President Tinubu at the State House on Sunday for high-level bilateral talks aimed at strengthening Nigeria-India relations.
In a statement issued by Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary-General of the Chidi Ibeh-led faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the group revealed that India currently holds more Nigerian prisoners than any other country globally.
According to verified intelligence, the detainees include individuals trapped by India’s stringent immigration policies, as well as legitimate students, medical tourists, and businesspeople who have been unjustly detained.
“It is imperative that President Tinubu uses this golden diplomatic opportunity to advocate for the release of innocent Nigerians who have faced prolonged detentions without fair trials,” the statement read.
The organization clarified that its appeal does not extend to individuals serving sentences for criminal offenses but focuses on victims of systemic challenges and alleged racial discrimination.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo expressed deep concern over the alarming statistics of over 1.3 million Nigerians imprisoned across India.
“This represents a significant humanitarian crisis, one that cannot be ignored. Many of these individuals are genuine students, medical tourists, and businesspersons entangled in harsh immigration laws,” the group stated.
They urged President Tinubu to prioritize this matter during bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi, emphasizing the need for swift and fair resolution of these cases.
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Beyond the release of Nigerian prisoners, Ohanaeze Ndigbo advised President Tinubu to strengthen partnerships with India in key sectors, including technology, energy, infrastructure, and railways.
“The potential for collaboration in these areas is immense and essential for revitalizing Nigeria’s economy. Robust bilateral agreements with Indian enterprises can foster innovation and create sustainable jobs,” Isiguzoro said.
The group also called for discussions on Nigeria’s inclusion in the BRICS economic bloc, highlighting its potential to enhance Nigeria’s economic stability and promote trade using the Naira.
Ohanaeze noted that President Tinubu’s participation in the recent G20 Summit in India has already set the stage for stronger diplomatic and economic ties.
