Nigeria seeks new amnesty for citizens detained in India

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) is working with the Nigerian High Commission in India to secure the release of Nigerian citizens detained in various prisons and detention camps. As of September 1, 2026, the High Commission had visited 198 inmates across five prisons in Maharashtra, Mumbai, though officials noted that more citizens are held in other provinces.

NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa addressed public criticism regarding the detention of individuals like Mr. Ekene at the Lampur detention centre in New Delhi. The commission clarified that an amnesty program for undocumented migrants, which previously allowed over 4,000 Nigerians to return home without penalty, had expired. Officials stated that some detainees, including Ekene, failed to regularize their status or utilize the amnesty during its active periods, leading to their subsequent arrests.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is currently engaging Indian authorities to request a new six-month amnesty for detainees who do not have ongoing legal trials. The High Commission continues to review specific cases to determine eligibility for early departure, subject to legal procedures and the availability of repatriation funds.