Mozambique: Due process not followed in Nigerians’ arrest, deportation — NIDCOM

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), on Tuesday confirmed that 40 out of 42 Nigerians detained in Mozambique have been deported, asserting that the repatriation did not follow due process.

The Commission disclosed that the deportees arrived in Nigeria in three batches between March 24 and March 27, 2026.

They came aboard South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

It added that two individuals remain in Mozambique; one was reportedly born there, and the other is married to a Mozambican citizen.

Mozambican authorities had claimed the action was part of routine immigration enforcement in Maputo.

However, NiDCOM maintains that many of those deported held valid residence permits and were singled out at a spare parts market without formal charges.

A statement by the Commission’s Spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, described such act as inhuman and a violation of their human rights.

He maintained that the Nigerian nationals were randomly arrested, detained and deported despite having their proper documentation.

“It was learnt that all the money taken from them while in detention were not given back to them upon deportation while huge sums were also taken from their mobile App.

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

It would be recalled that the 42 Nigerians were arrested at their various business locations despite possessing valid residency documents.

Some of those affected alleged that the arrests were carried out without prior notice, insisting they had complied with all legal requirements to live and work in Mozambique.

They further claimed they were detained for several days before being processed for deportation.

While Mozambican authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, the development is likely to raise fresh concerns over the treatment of foreign nationals and the enforcement of immigration regulations in the country.