Thirteen Nigerians deported from Mozambique have returned to Lagos, while 29 others remain in detention in Maputo, raising concerns over their treatment and calls for diplomatic intervention.
According to Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the deportees were part of a group of 42 Nigerians initially detained by Mozambican authorities.
They arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Friday, March 27, 2026, without any formal charges.
Mozambican authorities reportedly claimed the Nigerians lacked proper documentation, but the deportees said they held valid residence permits, except for one individual whose visa expired a day before deportation.
Speaking on behalf of NIDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa, agency representative Dipo Odebowale criticised the handling of the case, describing it as unfair.
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“These Nigerians were not fairly treated by the Mozambican authorities. We are hopeful that the Minister of Foreign Affairs will take up this matter with his Mozambican counterpart to ensure that justice is served,” he said.
The deportees said they were arrested at their workplaces despite committing no offence. They also appealed to the Nigerian government to help secure the release of the 29 Nigerians still in detention.
NIDCOM expressed sympathy for the deportees and assured them of continued support. Dabiri-Erewa reminded Nigerians living abroad to respect the laws of host countries while stressing that no one should be punished for an offence they did not commit.
All 13 deportees are adult males, who have called on authorities to pursue diplomatic measures to ensure accountability for the detention and deportation.