The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has criticised the arrest of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, calling for their immediate release.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the commission described the arrest as disturbing, noting that the individuals were reportedly detained without any formal allegations against them.
According to the statement signed by the commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern that the operation allegedly targeted Nigerians alone.
She said that if any of the arrested individuals had violated the law, the appropriate authorities should formally charge them in court rather than detain them without explanation.
The NIDCOM boss warned that the reported action, which allegedly involved singling out Nigerians at a spare parts market, could be interpreted as a xenophobic move against Nigerian citizens.
She therefore urged Mozambican authorities to either release the detainees without delay or ensure that due legal processes are followed.
Reports indicate that the Nigerians were picked up during a raid at a spare parts market where several traders were present, but only Nigerians were taken into custody.
The commission also noted that the detained individuals are said to be legal residents, while the Attorney-General in the country was reportedly unaware of any formal charges against them.
Some of the detainees were also said to have been assaulted during the arrest, with claims that personal belongings were seized and several of them have since fallen ill and require medical attention.
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