The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has confirmed that 40 of the 42 Nigerians earlier arrested in Mozambique have now been deported back home after spending weeks in detention.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Commission’s spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the returnees arrived in Nigeria in three separate batches. They were flown in on different dates, March 24, 26, and 27, through South African Airways flight SA60 and Ethiopian Airlines, while two individuals remain in Mozambique.
The Commission raised serious concerns over how the entire process was handled, stressing that the deportation did not follow proper procedures. It described the treatment of the Nigerians as harsh and a clear breach of their rights, noting that many of those affected were picked up without cause, detained, and later deported despite having valid documents.
Although Mozambican authorities cited immigration-related issues, documents presented by the deported Nigerians reportedly showed that they were legally residing and working in the country.
Some of those who returned shared troubling experiences, claiming that money and personal belongings taken from them during detention were never returned. There were also allegations that funds were withdrawn from their mobile banking apps without their consent.
It was also gathered that Nigerian officials were not carried along during the process. Efforts by the Nigerian Embassy to engage with Mozambican authorities were reportedly ignored, raising further concerns about the lack of communication throughout the incident.
The arrests, which affected 42 Nigerians, were said to have taken place at their various business locations. Many of them insisted they had complied with all legal requirements and were living in the country legitimately. They also claimed they were held for several days before any deportation steps were taken.
Of the two Nigerians still in Mozambique, one is married to a citizen of the country, while the other was born there.
As of now, Mozambican authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the situation. The development is expected to spark renewed attention on how foreign nationals are treated and how immigration laws are enforced in the country.
