In recent years, there has been a troubling rise in the attacks and humiliation faced by Nigerians living abroad. As many citizens continue to leave Nigeria due to economic hardships, incidents of maltreatment in foreign countries, including those in Africa, have increased significantly.
Reports indicate that over the past seven years, more than 350 Nigerians have been killed extrajudicially in various countries. These deaths are often at the hands of non-state actors and lack any justifiable reasons. Families of the victims frequently cry out for justice, but their pleas are rarely answered.
On June 26, 2024, a significant protest took place outside the Republic of Benin Embassy in Abuja. Nigerian youths gathered to demand the release of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, a cleric from Cross River State who has been detained in Benin for over a year without trial. Pastor Egbaji, who leads a church in Benin, was accused of rape by a Benin citizen. Despite the serious accusation, he has been subjected to harsh detention conditions, including being chained in a hospital, without a fair trial.
The Nigerian government has been making efforts to address such mistreatment through the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), established by former President Muhammadu Buhari. NiDCOM focuses on the welfare of Nigerians abroad, especially those unjustly imprisoned. However, the situation remains critical.
NiDCOM’s chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has highlighted the alarming rate of Nigerian student deaths in Northern Cyprus, with 13 students killed over six years. Other notable incidents include the murder of 39-year-old Nigerian Alika Ogorchukwu in Italy and the deaths of two Nigerian security guards in Canada. Many Nigerians in South Africa have also faced xenophobic attacks, with over 200 killed extrajudicially since 2016.
Additionally, many Nigerians are imprisoned abroad for minor offenses or no offense at all. Data from 2021 shows that about 170,000 Nigerians were serving terms for various offenses worldwide, a sharp increase from 16,300 in 2012. Many of these prisoners face harsh conditions and lack legal representation.
Ayobamidele Kehinde, an advocate for Nigerian prisoners abroad, has called for global attention to the plight of Nigerians in foreign prisons, emphasizing that many are unjustly detained or harshly punished due to their nationality.
Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun of NiDCOM’s Media and Public Relations Unit has attributed many of these cases to communication gaps and a lack of respect for local laws. He emphasized the importance of Nigerians adhering to the laws of their host countries to avoid such situations.
In the case of Pastor Egbaji, the Nigerian government has shown interest and provided legal support to ensure his rights are protected. However, reports of his harsh treatment and failing health have raised further concerns.
