Thirteen out of 42 Nigerians arrested in Mozambique deported
Lagos, March 27, 2026: Thirteen out of 42 Nigerians, who had earlier been arrested, in Mozambique have been deported with no known charges or offences.
While the Mozambican authorities claimed they had no proper documentation, all the deportees , except one , whose visa expired a day before the deportation, showed evidence of complete documentation.
Receiving the deportees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on behalf of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) , Mr Dipo Odebowale , noted that the Nigerians were not fairly treated by the Mozambique authorities, and was optimistic that the Minister of Foreign Affairs will take the matter up with the Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The returnees were warmly welcomed to Nigeria and the NIDCOM boss expressed sympathy for their unpleasant experience, while encouraging them to maintain a positive outlook for the future.
The deportees who arrived via South African Airways flight SA60, reported that they were arrested at their respective business premises in Maputo, detained without committing any offence, despite holding valid documents permitting their continued residence in Mozambique.
They further indicated that 29 Nigerians remain incarcerated in Maputo and appealed for urgent intervention on their behalf.
Among the deportees were all adult males, who sought the Commission’s assistance in securing justice and redress for the injustices they endured.
Dabiri-Erewa, while appealing to Nigerians to obey laws of countries they reside , emphasised that no Nigerian should be punished for an offence they did not commit .
