Mozambican authorities deported 13 Nigerians to Lagos on Friday, but 29 fellow citizens remain locked up in Maputo with no formal charges against them, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed.
The group of 42 men, all legitimate business operators, first found themselves in trouble on 28 February when security forces raided a busy spare parts market in the capital.
Officers singled out only the Nigerians, ignoring traders from other countries, before bundling the men away.
NiDCOM chair Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa described the operation as deeply disturbing.
“It is distasteful to learn that only Nigerians were allegedly handpicked for arrest,” she said.
She added that the men held valid residence permits and ran successful businesses, yet officials offered no explanation at the time.
Reports from the detainees paint an even bleaker picture.
Officers allegedly beat several of the men, confiscated or stole their personal belongings, and left some needing urgent medical care after weeks in crowded conditions.
A planned court appearance fell through because of bad weather, and even a habeas corpus application filed on their behalf brought little relief.
Meanwhile, Nigerian officials have kept up steady pressure on Maputo.
Dabiri-Erewa urged the Mozambican government to either charge the remaining detainees or set them free without delay.
“If they run afoul of the law, the authorities should arraign and charge them before a court of law,” she stressed.
She also warned that selective targeting of Nigerians raises serious questions about possible xenophobia.
The 13 who returned home touched down at Murtala Muhammed International Airport late on Thursday night aboard a South African Airways flight.
Family members and community leaders welcomed them, though many voiced anger over the ordeal.
Nigerian diplomats continue to push for the swift and safe return of the 29 still held at facilities in Língamo.
This latest episode has sparked fresh concern among Nigerians living and working across Southern Africa.
Community groups in Maputo staged protests outside the Nigerian embassy earlier this month, while diaspora organisations back home have called for stronger consular protection.
For now, the fate of the remaining detainees hangs in the balance.
NiDCOM says it will monitor developments closely and work with the foreign ministry to ensure due process and the safety of every Nigerian abroad.
