Mozambique Deports 13 Nigerians Without Charges, 29 Still Detained

Mozambique Deports 13 Nigerians Without Charges, 29 Still Detained

Public outrage is mounting over the treatment of Nigerian nationals in Mozambique, where 13 citizens were deported without formal charges and 29 others remain detained in Maputo. The development has sparked diplomatic concern and calls for urgent intervention from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and human rights advocates.

The deportees were among 42 Nigerians previously arrested by Mozambican authorities, who claimed the individuals were operating without valid documentation. The 13 deportees returned to Lagos on Friday, March 27, 2026, aboard a South African Airways flight and were received at Murtala Muhammed International Airport by NiDCOM officials. Most of those deported maintain that they held valid residence permits, with only one exception whose visa reportedly expired a day before the arrests.

“They picked us up from our businesses without explanation. We had valid documents. We committed no crime,” one of the deportees said, describing the arrests and deportation as arbitrary and unjust.

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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission criticised the deportation, accusing Mozambican authorities of violating due process and fundamental human rights. Speaking on behalf of Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NiDCOM’s Dipo Odebowale said, “These Nigerians were not fairly treated. We expect the Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to urgently engage Mozambican authorities to ensure justice.”

The returnees also expressed concern for the 29 Nigerians still detained in Maputo, urging swift diplomatic intervention. “They have done nothing wrong. The government must act fast to secure their release,” a deportee said.

Analysts say the deportation highlights ongoing challenges faced by Nigerian citizens abroad, particularly in countries where legal processes are inconsistently applied. Rights groups have condemned the incident, stressing that detaining or deporting foreign nationals without proper legal procedures constitutes a violation of international human rights law.

NiDCOM reiterated that while Nigerians abroad should comply with local laws, foreign authorities must also respect lawful procedures. Dabiri-Erewa emphasised: “No Nigerian should be punished for an offence they did not commit.” The incident is expected to prompt continued diplomatic pressure on Mozambique to ensure the release of detained Nigerians and prevent future arbitrary deportations.

Mozambique Deports 13 Nigerians Without Charges, 29 Still Detained