The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has strongly condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerian nationals in Mozambique, describing the development as deeply disturbing and unacceptable. She expressed serious concern over the circumstances surrounding the arrests and called on Mozambican authorities to immediately release the detained Nigerians or formally charge them in a court of law if they are suspected of committing any offense.
Dabiri-Erewa made this position known through a statement issued in Abuja on March 7, 2026. The statement was released by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun. In the statement, the NiDCOM chairman expressed deep concern that the Nigerians were reportedly singled out during the arrest operation, a development she said raises troubling questions about the motive behind the action.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, reports indicate that the Nigerians were arrested at a spare parts market where they were conducting their legitimate business activities. During the operation, they were allegedly separated from other traders and individuals present at the market and taken into custody without any clear explanation or formal allegation against them. She noted that such a selective arrest pattern raises concerns about possible discrimination or xenophobic treatment directed at Nigerian citizens.
She stated that the fact that only Nigerians were reportedly targeted during the operation is particularly disturbing. According to her, such actions, if proven, would represent an unacceptable form of profiling and could damage the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that should exist between nations.
“It is distasteful to learn that only Nigerians were allegedly handpicked for arrest,” Dabiri-Erewa said. She stressed that if any of the individuals had committed an offense under Mozambican law, the appropriate procedure would be to charge them and present the case before a court of law. Detaining individuals without clearly stating the charges against them, she explained, undermines the principles of justice, fairness, and due process.
The NiDCOM chairman emphasized that preliminary reports suggest the detained Nigerians are legal residents in Mozambique and have been living and working there legitimately. Many of them are reportedly traders involved in the spare parts business, contributing to the local economy through lawful commercial activities.
She further noted that available information suggests that even the Attorney-General in Mozambique may not yet be aware of any formal charges brought against the detainees. This, she said, raises serious questions about the legality and justification for their continued detention.
Beyond the issue of the arrests themselves, Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern over reports that some of the detained Nigerians were subjected to physical abuse during the operation. According to information received by NiDCOM, some of the individuals were allegedly beaten by security personnel at the time of their arrest.
There are also allegations that personal belongings belonging to the detainees were confiscated during the operation. Reports indicate that some traders had their goods and other valuables taken away while being detained. Dabiri-Erewa described these reports as alarming and urged Mozambican authorities to thoroughly investigate the allegations.
In addition, the NiDCOM boss highlighted troubling information regarding the health conditions of some of the detained Nigerians. Reports suggest that several of them are currently in poor health and may require urgent medical attention. She stressed that the welfare and safety of the detainees must be prioritized while the matter is being addressed.
Dabiri-Erewa therefore called on Mozambican authorities to ensure that the detained Nigerians are treated humanely and in accordance with international human rights standards. She emphasized that regardless of nationality, every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
She also urged the authorities in Mozambique to follow established legal procedures by either filing formal charges against the detainees or releasing them without delay if there is no evidence of wrongdoing. According to her, justice must always be guided by transparency, fairness, and adherence to the rule of law.
The NiDCOM chairman reiterated that the Nigerian government remains committed to protecting the welfare, safety, and dignity of its citizens living abroad. She assured Nigerians in the diaspora that the government will continue to engage with host countries to ensure that their rights are respected.
According to her, Nigerians abroad contribute significantly to economic and social development both in their host countries and back home. As such, they should not be subjected to discrimination, harassment, or unjust treatment.
Dabiri-Erewa further emphasized the importance of maintaining cordial diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Mozambique. She noted that both countries share longstanding ties and should work together to ensure that issues affecting their citizens are addressed through dialogue and lawful processes.
She concluded by reiterating her call for the immediate release of the detained Nigerians if no lawful charges exist against them. However, if there are legitimate allegations of wrongdoing, she insisted that the individuals should be promptly arraigned before a competent court so that justice can take its course in a transparent and fair manner.
According to her, respect for due process, human rights, and the rule of law remains essential in promoting justice and maintaining the dignity of citizens anywhere in the world.
