The Federal Government has strongly condemned the arrest of 42 Nigerians by Mozambican authorities, describing the incident as disturbing and unacceptable.
The government said the manner in which the Nigerians were allegedly singled out and detained suggests a targeted action against Nigerian citizens.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the development as troubling, noting that the incident appeared to be a case of xenophobic targeting.
“According to reports, the Nigerians were specifically singled out and arrested at a spare parts market, out of all the traders and individuals present in the market, without any allegations or explanations on why they were detained,” the statement said.
Dabiri-Erewa urged the Mozambican authorities to follow due legal process if any of the arrested Nigerians had violated the law.
“If they run foul of the law, the authorities should arraign and charge them before a court of law,” Ms Dabiri-Erewa said.
She further stated that the individuals arrested are confirmed legal residents of Mozambique and noted that the Mozambican authorities have yet to notify Nigeria’s attorney general of any formal charges.
“They were allegedly beaten, their personal belongings stolen, and many of them are said to have fallen sick and in need of medical attention,” Ms Dabiri-Erewa said in the statement signed by NiDCOM spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
The NiDCOM boss also called for the immediate release of the detained Nigerians.
Rising Xenophobic Attacks In Southern Africa
Nigerians living in the Southern African region have repeatedly faced xenophobic violence, particularly in the Republic of South Africa.
Since 2008, several waves of attacks have targeted foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
Between 2016 and 2019, more than 130 Nigerians were reportedly killed during xenophobic violence in South Africa, which shares about 496 kilometres (308 miles) of land border with Mozambique to the east and northeast.
In more recent years, between 2022 and 2024, Nigerians in South Africa also experienced targeted looting and widespread violence in different parts of the country.
