NiDCOM defends response as Nigerians demand release of India detainees

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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has defended its handling of cases involving Nigerians detained in a deportation camp in New Delhi, India, saying the country’s authorities had earlier granted an amnesty that some of the detainees failed to take advantage of.

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The response came after journalist Rufai Oseni and other Nigerians on social media criticised NiDCOM and its Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, over what they described as slow action to secure the release of a detainee identified as Ekene and more than 200 other Nigerians reportedly held at the Lampur detention centre.

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Oseni, co-host of Arise TV, said he first raised Ekene’s case weeks earlier and, about a week ago, emailed NiDCOM with the man’s contact details after Dabiri-Erewa directed him to use official channels.

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He claimed that despite an initial acknowledgment, neither the commission nor the Nigerian mission had reached out to Ekene.

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“I spoke to Ekene this evening and he confirmed no one reached out,” Oseni posted on his X handle on Saturday.

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“I have sent Abike Dabiri and NIDCOM the details of Ekene… they haven’t reached out to him! Nigerians, let’s beg her to help this man!”

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He later added that Ekene told him more than 200 Nigerians were stranded at the Lampur detention centre, Sewa Sadan, in New Delhi, and described conditions there as “harrowing.”

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The journalist also shared screenshots of correspondence and called for public help with flight logistics to enable Ekene to return home.

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In an official email reply to Oseni on Sunday, which Dabiri-Erewa shared on X, NiDCOM said India had earlier granted a targeted amnesty to undocumented Nigerian migrants.

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The programme began on May 1, 2025, as a six-month window and was later extended by three months following negotiations by Nigeria’s High Commissioner.

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According to NiDCOM, more than 4,000 Nigerians returned home under the amnesty without legal or administrative penalties.

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It said some refused to take advantage of the amnesty, and those were rounded up again and put in deportation camps.

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NiDCOM wrote, “Regrettably, Ekene and some others did not take advantage of this program or its subsequent extension while it was active and because he did not regularise his status or exit during the grace period, he was arrested and is currently being held in a deportation camp. Please note that he is not the only one awaiting deportation.”

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The email continued: “Unfortunately, deportations are entirely at the prerogative of the host country. Host governments typically have to reach a certain number of detainees before arranging an airlift to reduce the financial burden on their taxpayers.

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“Kindly note that the Nigerian High Commission in India is still actively engaging with the Indian authorities to advocate for a fresh extension of the amnesty programme.”

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It added that the NiDCOM legal team would continue to monitor the situation and noted the broader difficulties migrants face, including challenges finding jobs.

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Oseni disputed the adequacy of the response, calling it a “glomar” reply issued only after public pressure and accusing NiDCOM of inefficiency.

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He maintained that the focus should remain on helping Ekene and others return home, noting that the detainee is separated from his wife and children in Nigeria.

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The exchange has drawn mixed reactions online, with some criticising the commission for what they described as slow action on individual cases.

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Others argued that citizens who overstayed their visas or declined an available amnesty must bear responsibility under host-country laws.

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