The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has appealed to the Cape Verde authorities to return six Nigerian tourists who traveled from Senegal to Cape Verde Island on vacation.
According to NiDCOM, families of the young Nigerians, ranging between 25 and 31 years, had been worried about the safety of their children.
NiDCOM, in a statement, said the Nigerian tourists, on arrival at Cape Verde, were pulled out of the queue and accused of not having enough funds, after which their phones were confiscated.
The statement points out that the Nigerians were subsequently locked up in an immigration deportation camp at the airport.
It also cites reports from the immigration detention centre which indicated that the Nigerians were experiencing trauma and distress, with one who had a “medical condition” not being allowed access to his drugs.
The commission, consequently, appealed to the immigration authorities in Cape Verde to “treat the tourists with respect and dignity” and put them on the next immediate return flight to Dakar for onward connection back to Nigeria.
In recent years, the issue of repatriation of Nigerians from various African countries has moved from the fringes of diplomatic discussions to the forefront of national and continental concern.
The issue, deeply tied to the broader narratives of migration, security, and economic hardship, demands a thoughtful and humane response.
The rising cases of deportations and unlawful detentions of Nigerians abroad, especially within Africa, call for urgent introspection by both the Nigerian government and its counterparts across the continent.
The repeated expulsions and mistreatment of Nigerians in countries like South Africa, Libya, Ghana, and even relatively close neighbors like Niger, not only undermines regional integration efforts but also exposes deep-rooted socio-political tensions and systemic inequalities that need addressing.
RN
