The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, describing the action as unacceptable and calling for their immediate release.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja and signed by the
Commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman
Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern that the Nigerians were allegedly
arrested without any formal charges being filed against them.
According to the NiDCOM boss, “It was disturbing that only
Nigerians were reportedly singled out during the operation”.
Describing the incident as distasteful and worrying, she
stressed that “if any of the individuals had violated Mozambican laws, the
appropriate step would be to arraign them before a court of competent
jurisdiction rather than detain them without explanation”.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that the alleged selective arrest of
Nigerians suggests what could be described as a xenophobic action against
Nigerian citizens.
She therefore urged the Mozambican authorities to either
immediately release the detained Nigerians or follow due legal process by
formally charging them in court.
“According to reports, the Nigerians were allegedly picked
up at a spare parts market, where they were singled out among other traders and
individuals present at the location without any clear allegations or
explanations for their arrest,” the statement noted.
The statement added that the individuals involved have been
confirmed to be legal residents in Mozambique, while the country’s Attorney
General is reportedly unaware of any charges filed against them.
“Some of the detained Nigerians were beaten, had their
personal belongings confiscated, and several of them are currently ill and in
need of medical attention,” the Commission alleged.
NiDCOM reiterated its call for fair treatment and respect
for the rights of Nigerians living abroad.
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