The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has raised the alarm that about 42 Nigerians are currently detained in Mozambique after being arrested and allegedly beaten severely at one of the country’s spare-parts markets “without any allegations”.
In a statement on Sunday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM’s director of media, public relations, and protocols, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the commission, condemned the assault and demanded the unconditional and immediate release of the Nigerians.
Dabiri-Erewa said the Nigerians were allegedly handpicked for arrest, describing the development as “distasteful”.
“According to reports, the Nigerians were specifically singled out and arrested at a spare-parts market, out of all the traders and individuals present, without any allegations or explanations as to why they were detained,” the statement reads.
“They were allegedly beaten, their personal belongings stolen, and many of them are said to have fallen sick and are in need of medical attention.”
The NIDCOM chairman argued that if the citizens ran afoul of the law, the Mozambican authorities “should arraign and charge them before a court of law,” instead of subjecting them to what she described as a “xenophobic attack”.
“Dabiri-Erewa therefore urged the Mozambican authorities to immediately release the arrested Nigerians or let the law take its course,” the statement added.
She also said the Nigerians have been confirmed to be legal residents, noting that the country’s attorney-general is reportedly not aware of any charges against them.
