Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The Federal Government is seeking a fresh six-month amnesty programme in India to facilitate the release and repatriation of Nigerians detained over immigration-related offences.
The development was disclosed by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, which said the Nigeria High Commission in India had visited 198 Nigerian inmates held across five prisons in Maharashtra as part of ongoing consular interventions.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM said the prison visits were conducted as of September 1, 2026.
The commission noted that Nigerians were also being held in prisons in other Indian provinces, with the latest intervention focused on addressing cases involving immigration violations, prolonged detention and delays in the prosecution of criminal matters.
According to NiDCOM, the Nigerian mission had previously secured an amnesty programme that ran from September last year to May this year, resulting in the release and repatriation of thousands of Nigerians detained mainly for immigration offences and other irregularities.
It said, however, that some Nigerians either failed to take advantage of the programme before it expired or did not utilise the opportunity while it was available.
NiDCOM said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, was currently engaging her Indian counterpart in an effort to secure another six-month amnesty for Nigerians detained in camps who have no pending trials but remain in custody over immigration-related offences.
The latest move followed concerns over the detention of a Nigerian identified as Mr Ekene in India.
NiDCOM said the Nigerian High Commission was reviewing Ekene’s case to determine whether he qualified for early release and repatriation.
It explained that if he was found eligible to leave India, arrangements could be made for his return, subject to his family providing the necessary funds and compliance with established legal and administrative procedures.
“The Nigerian High Commission is on his case and that of others in similar circumstances and has also been putting pressure on the Indian government to speed up cases of those awaiting trials for various offences,” the statement said.
The commission stressed that the proposed amnesty would not apply to Nigerians facing trial for criminal offences, including drug-related crimes.
NiDCOM also urged Nigerians residing in India without valid immigration documents to take advantage of the proposed amnesty if approved, warning that those who continue to stay in the country illegally could face arrest.
NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, advised Nigerians living irregularly in India to utilise the opportunity when the next amnesty is implemented.
“Nigerians in India, who are in India irregularly, should take advantage of the next set of amnesty being negotiated when effected, while others who are still staying there illegally should utilise the opportunity or risk being arrested,” she said.
The commission further appealed to Nigerians living abroad to obey the laws of their host countries and avoid actions that could result in arrest, prosecution or prolonged detention.
NiDCOM said the Federal Government would continue discussions with Indian authorities on the welfare of detained Nigerians, the speedy resolution of pending cases and the repatriation of those cleared to return to Nigeria.
