The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, describing the development as disturbing and demanding their immediate release.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa said it was troubling that the Nigerians were allegedly arrested without any specific offences being levelled against them.
According to her, reports indicated that the individuals were singled out and arrested at a spare parts market despite the presence of other traders and individuals at the location.
She described the alleged selective arrest of only Nigerians as unacceptable, warning that such actions could be interpreted as a xenophobic attack on Nigerian citizens living abroad.
Dabiri-Erewa urged the Mozambican authorities to either release the detained Nigerians immediately or charge them before a court of law if they had committed any offences.
“If they have run foul of the law, they should be arraigned and properly charged in line with due process,” she said.
The NIDCOM boss added that the arrested individuals had been confirmed to be legal residents in Mozambique, while the country’s Attorney-General was reportedly unaware of any charges filed against them.
She also raised concerns over reports that the detainees were allegedly beaten, had their personal belongings confiscated, and that some had fallen ill and required medical attention.
Dabiri-Erewa therefore called on the authorities in Mozambique to ensure the safety and rights of Nigerians residing in the country and to allow the rule of law to prevail.
