NIDCOM Seeks Explanation Over Detention of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has demanded clarification from Mozambican authorities over the arrest and continued detention of 42 Nigerian nationals in the country.

According to the commission, the arrests were reportedly carried out by Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), which claimed the Nigerians were staying illegally in the country. However, NIDCOM said the claim has not been officially confirmed.

In a statement issued by the commission’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM noted that Nigeria’s High Commission in Mozambique had not been formally notified about the circumstances surrounding the arrests.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the families of the detained Nigerians have been making distress calls, expressing concern about the welfare of their relatives.

“They confiscated their cell phones, personal belongings and the money they had with them at the time of the arrest,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.

She added that the Nigerian Embassy has written to Mozambique’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the office of the Attorney-General to seek clarification on the matter.

Dabiri-Erewa stressed that if the Nigerians committed any offence, the authorities should formally charge them in court and make the allegations public. Otherwise, they should be released instead of being held without due process.

She also reiterated that while the Nigerian government does not support criminal activities by its citizens abroad, no Nigerian should be detained without clear charges or knowledge of the reason for their arrest.