Six Nigerian tourists are reportedly held in poor conditions at an immigration deportation center in Cape Verde, without access to legal or consular help, raising serious concerns.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called on Cape Verdean authorities to release six Nigerian tourists detained at an immigration facility. According to a statement issued on Wednesday, April 16, by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media and Public Relations, the tourists were traveling from Senegal to Cape Verde for a vacation when immigration officers allegedly accused them of insufficient funds, seized their phones, and detained them.

Reports from the detention center claim the detained tourists, aged between 25 and 31, are living under harsh conditions without access to any legal or consular support.

NiDCOM appealed to Cape Verde’s immigration officials, urging them to treat the tourists humanely and allow them to return to Senegal to continue their journey to Nigeria.

The detained travelers were identified as David James Udoh, Lily Dada, Oghenero Adaware, Sherifat Abimbola Ogundairo, and Jesutomi Aina. They reportedly arranged their vacation through Ìrìn Travels, a travel agency that has since expressed serious concern over their treatment.

Family members of the detained individuals have also voiced alarm, pleading with the Nigerian government and global human rights organizations to intervene swiftly to ensure their safety and release.

NiDCOM stated that it has referred the matter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Consular and Migration Directorate for diplomatic follow-up. The commission also reminded host countries of their duty to uphold international conventions regarding the treatment of visitors and migrants.

As of now, Cape Verdean immigration officials have not addressed the accusations or clarified the detained tourists’ situation.