The Nigerian government has called on Mozambican authorities to immediately release 42 Nigerian nationals reportedly detained without formal charges, warning that the incident may reflect possible xenophobic targeting.
The appeal was made by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), who urged Mozambique to either release the detainees or formally charge them if any laws were violated.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa described the situation as deeply concerning. According to reports, the Nigerians were arrested during a police operation at a spare-parts market, while other traders present at the location were not detained.
“It is disturbing that only Nigerians were allegedly singled out for arrest,” she said, stressing that any alleged wrongdoing should be addressed through established legal procedures.
NiDCOM confirmed that the detained individuals are legal residents of Mozambique and noted that Nigeria’s Attorney-General has not been informed of any official charges against them.
The commission also cited reports that some detainees were beaten during the raid, had personal belongings confiscated and that several required medical attention after falling ill in custody.
Source: Newstimehub
