29 Nigerians Still In Detention As Mozambique Deports 13 — NIDCOM
Thirteen Nigerians arrested in Mozambique have been deported, while 29 others remain in detention in Maputo, prompting concerns over alleged unfair treatment and calls for urgent diplomatic intervention.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on Friday, stated that the deportees, part of a group of 42 Nigerians initially detained by Mozambican authorities, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Friday, March 27, 2026, without any formal charges filed against them.
Mozambican authorities had reportedly claimed that the Nigerians lacked proper documentation.
However, the deportees maintained that they possessed valid residence permits, with the exception of one individual whose visa expired a day before deportation.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the agency’s representative, Dipo Odebowale, criticised the handling of the case, describing it as unjust.
“These Nigerians were not fairly treated by the Mozambican authorities. We are hopeful that the Minister of Foreign Affairs will take up this matter with his Mozambican counterpart to ensure that justice is served,” he said.
The deportees, who arrived aboard South African Airways flight SA60, recounted that they were arrested at their various business premises in Maputo despite committing no offence.
“We were picked up from our workplaces without explanation and detained, even though we had valid documents allowing us to stay and operate in Mozambique,” one of the returnees said.
They further revealed that 29 Nigerians are still being held in detention in Maputo and appealed to the Federal Government for swift intervention.
“We are pleading with the Nigerian government to help secure the release of those still in custody. They have done nothing wrong,” another deportee added.
NIDCOM, while receiving the returnees, expressed sympathy over their ordeal and reassured them of continued support in seeking justice and redress.
In a statement, Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians living abroad to always respect the laws of their host countries but stressed that due process must be followed.
“Nigerians must obey the laws of the countries they reside in. However, no Nigerian should be punished for an offence they did not commit,” she said.
All 13 deportees were adult males, who have now called on authorities to pursue the matter diplomatically and ensure accountability over what they described as wrongful detention and deportation.
