Mozambique deports 13 Nigerians amidst detention controversy

Thirteen Nigerian citizens have been deported from Mozambique, arriving in Lagos with no formal charges or stated offenses, despite Mozambican authorities citing improper documentation.

This incident has sparked concern
and calls for intervention from Nigerian authorities, particularly as 29 other Nigerians remain incarcerated in Maputo.

The deportees, who arrived via South African Airways flight SA60, recounted being arrested at their business premises in Maputo.

They assert that they possessed valid documentation permitting their residence in Mozambique, with only one individual’s visa having expired a day prior to the deportation.

Upon their return to Nigeria, Mr. Dipo Odebowale, representing Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), received them at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Odebowale expressed strong disapproval of Mozambican authorities’ treatment of the Nigerians, indicating that the Minister of Foreign Affairs would address the matter with his Mozambican counterpart.
NIDCOM had previously condemned the arbitrary arrest of 42 Nigerian citizens in
Mozambique in a statement on March 8, 2026, demanding their immediate release.

Dabiri-Erewa highlighted that these arrests appeared to be a targeted act, with Nigerians allegedly singled out from a spare parts market.

NIDCOM Boss emphasized that due process of law should be followed if any laws were violated, rather than subjecting individuals to what she described as a xenophobic attack.

Reports from earlier in March indicated that the arrested Nigerians were legal residents and that the Attorney General in Mozambique was reportedly unaware of any charges against them.
Disturbingly, there were accounts of detainees being subjected to beatings, theft of personal belongings, and many were in urgent need of medical attention.

While welcoming the returnees and sympathizing with their ordeal, the NIDCOM boss encouraged them to maintain a positive outlook.

The deported individuals, all adult males,
have appealed to the Commission for assistance in securing justice and redress for the injustices they experienced.

Dabiri-Erewa reiterated her appeal to Nigerians residing abroad to obey local laws, but firmly stated that no Nigerian should be punished for uncommitted
offenses.