FG condemns ‘inhuman’ deportation of 40 Nigerians from Mozambique

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has confirmed that 40 out of 42 Nigerians arrested in Mozambique have now been deported to Nigeria.

It also raised serious concerns over what it described as a breach of due process and fundamental human rights.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, its spokesperson, the Commission condemned the actions of Mozambican authorities, characterising the deportation exercise as “inhuman” and inconsistent with established diplomatic and legal procedures.

According to NIDCOM, the affected Nigerians were returned to the country in three batches of 13, 16 and 11 individuals.

The deportees arrived via South African Airways flight SA60 and Ethiopian Airlines on March 24, 26 and 27, respectively.

However, two Nigerians are still being held in Mozambique under unclear circumstances.

The Commission disclosed that the arrests took place in the Mozambican capital, Maputo, where authorities reportedly claimed the operation was part of a broader immigration enforcement exercise.

NIDCOM, however, rejected this justification, insisting that the individuals were “randomly arrested, detained and deported despite having proper documentation.”

It further alleged that the process violated diplomatic norms, noting that Mozambican officials failed to notify or engage the Nigerian Embassy throughout the ordeal.

“Attempts by embassy representatives to gain access to the detained nationals were reportedly rebuffed.

“It is saddening that while all of these were going on, the Mozambican authorities did not reach out to the Nigerian Embassy, while all emissaries from the Embassy were rebuffed,” the statement read.

NIDCOM also revealed that one of the two Nigerians still in custody is married to a Mozambican citizen, while the other was born in the country, raising further concerns about the legality and humanitarian implications of their continued detention.

The Commission also raised allegations of financial impropriety during the detention period.

It claimed that money confiscated from the Nigerians was not returned upon deportation, while additional funds were allegedly withdrawn from their mobile banking applications without consent.

The 42 Nigerians were reportedly apprehended at their various business locations, despite possessing valid residency permits.

Several of the deportees insisted that they had complied fully with Mozambican immigration laws and were not informed of any infractions prior to their arrest.

“They were detained for several days before being processed for deportation,” NIDCOM stated, adding that no formal charges were filed against many of those affected.

The development follows an earlier disclosure by the Commission last week that 13 Nigerians had initially been deported, while 29 others remained in custody at the time.

Those first deportees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on March 27, 2026.

Mozambican authorities had reportedly maintained that the Nigerians lacked valid documentation.

However, the deportees have strongly contested the claim, insisting that all but one individual possessed valid residence permits, with the exception involving a visa that expired just a day before deportation.

NIDCOM reiterated its call for adherence to international standards in the treatment of migrants and urged Mozambican authorities to provide clarity on the status of the remaining detainees while ensuring justice for those already deported.