The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has said the 13 Nigerians deported by Mozambican authorities were unfairly treated.
Executive Chairman of NiDCOM, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who received the deportees at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, said she was optimistic that the Minister of Foreign Affairs will take the matter up with the Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Recall that 42 Nigerians, mainly from the South East were arrested earlier in March by Mozambican authorities on charges of entering the country no proper documentation.
However, a statement by the Director of Media and Public Relation at NiDCOM, Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the 13 Nigerians and others were arrested and reported with no known charges or offences.
Represented by Mr Dipo Odebowale, Dabiri-Erewa stated that while the Mozambican authorities claimed they had no proper documentation, all the deportees, except one, whose visa expired a day before the deportation, showed evidence of complete documentation.
She warmly welcomed the deportees and expressed sympathy for their unpleasant experience, while encouraging them to maintain a positive outlook for the future.
The deportees who arrived via South African Airways flight SA60, reported that they were arrested at their respective business premises in Maputo, detained without committing any offence, despite holding valid documents permitting their continued residence in Mozambique.
They further indicated that 29 Nigerians remain incarcerated in Maputo and appealed for urgent intervention on their behalf.
Among the deportees were all adult males, who sought the Commission’s assistance in securing justice and redress for the injustices they endured.
Dabiri-Erewa, while appealing to Nigerians to obey laws of countries they reside , emphasised that no Nigerian should be punished for an offence they did not commit.
The 42 Nigerians earlier detained by Mozambique include:
Augustine Chukwuka Okeke, Maximus Anayo, Okechukwu Benjamin Eche, Anaerobi Ikenna Martins, Stephen Anayo Okongwe, Onwujewe Raymond and Chukwunazorom Donatus John.
Also in detention were Aginam Chukwuenyem David, Collins Aderito Uzoewulu, Okonkwo Nnamdi Johnpaul, Onwunyili Lawrence Chukwuemeka, Ugochukwu Valentine Ezechiedum, Innamdi Okechukwu, Celestine Okalu, Goodluck Chukwunyere Ephrain, Ebuka Amuh Pablo, Chukwuemeka Steven Ugwu and Cislouyindika Ifeanyi Ezeifeoma.
Others also arrested were Chinedu Daniel Igwilo, Ideh Samuel Ezinwa,
Ogochukwu Michael Okonkwor, Okechukwu Christopher, Chinedu Okeke, Chukwuebuka Tobechukwu Oraka, Simon Nnaεμεκα, Onyeka Emmanuel Ufondo, Chidera Christopher, Nzube Kingsley Ebere and Ekene Samuel Nwana.
Also arrested were Christian Emeka Muoka, Gerald Emeka Godwin, Ogu Inyang, Oluebubechukwu Victor Maduka, Onyedika Kingsley, Donatus Uchi, Chinecherem Alu, Emmanuel Anene Ugwu, Muoneke Mateus, Martin Tochukwu Mbakwe, Ikechukwu Nwali, Lotanna Okeke, and Emeka Henry Ekenta.
