FG Raises Alarm Over Deportation of Nigerians from Mozambique

The Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) reported that 13 out of 42 Nigerians arrested in Mozambique were deported back to Nigeria, despite claims that they committed no known offenses. Abdur Rahman Balogun, the Director of Media and Public Relations at NIDCOM, issued a statement on Friday, noting that the deportees arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard South African Airways flight SA60.

Mozambican authorities cited a lack of proper documentation as the reason for the deportation, although the deportees reportedly provided evidence of valid residency permits, except for one individual whose visa had expired. NIDCOM's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed concern over the treatment of Nigerians and indicated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would raise the issue with their Mozambican counterparts.

Additionally, 29 Nigerians remain detained in Maputo, prompting calls for urgent intervention from Nigerian authorities.