NiDCOM Updates on Nigerians in Indian Prisons

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) clarified the situation of Nigerians in Indian prisons through a press statement signed by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun. As of September 1, 2026, officials from the Nigerian High Commission visited 198 Nigerian inmates across five prisons in Maharashtra, including Mumbai.

NiDCOM indicated that more Nigerians are held in other Indian provinces. Between September 2025 and May 2026, the High Commission secured an amnesty for thousands of Nigerians detained primarily for immigration offenses, with many released returning to Nigeria.

However, some did not utilize the amnesty before it expired. NiDCOM disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, is engaging her Indian counterpart to secure an additional six-month amnesty for Nigerians detained without ongoing criminal trials.

The case of a Nigerian named Mr. Ekene is under investigation by the High Commission to determine his eligibility for release. NiDCOM urged Nigerians abroad to respect local laws and take advantage of any new amnesty arrangements.