NIDCOM Says 198 Nigerians Detained In India Prisons

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian High Commission in India, has been actively intervening in the cases of 198  Nigerians in various detention camps in India.

Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), in an update confirmed that Nigerians are currently detained in various prisons and detention facilities across India.

According to the commission, the Federal Government, through the Nigerian High Commission in India, has been actively intervening in the cases of hundreds of Nigerians in detention.

NIDCOM disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.

The commission disclosed that officials of the Nigerian High Commission has, as of September 1, visited 198 Nigerian inmates across five prisons in Maharashtra, Mumbai.

It noted, however, that more Nigerians remain in prisons and detention facilities in other parts of India.

NIDCOM also revealed that between September last year and May this year, the Nigerian High Commission secured an amnesty programme that led to the release and repatriation of thousands of Nigerians detained in India, mainly over immigration-related offences and other irregularities.

While many beneficiaries returned to Nigeria, the commission said some Nigerians failed to take advantage of the amnesty while it was available.

NIDCOM further revealed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, has been engaging her Indian counterpart over the possibility of securing another six-month amnesty for Nigerians being held in detention camps without ongoing trials.

The commission also addressed the case of a Nigerian identified as Mr. Ekene, whose situation has reportedly attracted attention in India.

NIDCOM said the Nigerian High Commission would review his case and determine whether he qualifies for release, adding that if he is eligible and his family can raise the required funds, efforts would be made to facilitate his return home.

However, the commission stressed that certain legal procedures must be followed.

According to NIDCOM, the Nigerian High Commission is also working on Ekene’s case and those of other Nigerians in similar circumstances while engaging Indian authorities to expedite the cases of Nigerians awaiting trial for various offences.

The commission urged Nigerians living in India without proper immigration status to take advantage of any new amnesty programme once implemented.

It also warned Nigerians who remain in India illegally that they risk arrest if they fail to regularise their status.

NIDCOM clarified that any amnesty programme would not cover Nigerians facing trial for serious criminal offences, including drug-related crimes.

The commission once again urged Nigerians living abroad to obey the laws of their host countries and avoid activities that could lead to arrest or prosecution.