NIDCOM condemns harsh treatment of Nigerian tourists in Cape Verde
By Ukpono Ukpong
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has condemned the harsh and inhumane treatment of six Nigerian tourists detained by immigration officials in Cape Verde after they travelled to the Island nation from Senegal on a vacation.
This is a statement issued in Abuja, the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
The Commission said it was “deeply concerned” by reports that the tourists were pulled out of the immigration queue on arrival, accused of not having sufficient funds, and subsequently had their mobile phones confiscated before being detained at the airport’s deportation camp.
According to information gathered from the immigration detention centre, the detained Nigerians are currently experiencing distress and trauma, with one of the tourists reportedly suffering from a medical condition and has been denied access to vital medication.
“The attention of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has been drawn to a case of six Nigerians tourists that travelled from Senegal to Cape Verde Island on a vacation, On arrival at Cape Verde, they were pulled out of the line.
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“They were accused of not having enough funds and their phones confiscated. They were subsequently locked up in an immigration deportation camp at the airport.
“Reports from the immigration detention centre indicate that they are going through distress and trauma, with one of them having a medical condition without access to his drugs.
“We appeal to the Immigration authorities in Cape Verde to please treat the tourists with respect and dignity and put them on the next immediate return flight to Dakar for onward connection back to Nigeria.”
The tourists, aged between 25 and 31 years, had embarked on the leisure trip through a travel agency identified as ìrìn travels (@irintravels and @theFARAWAY). Their unexpected detention has caused serious concern and anxiety among their families in Nigeria.
“The families of these young Nigerians ranging between 25 and 31 years have been expectedly worried about the safety of their children,” Balogun stated in the release.
The affected tourists were identified as David James Udoh, Lily Dada, Oghenero Adaware, Sherifat Abimbola Ogundairo, and Jesutomi Aina. The circumstances surrounding their detention have sparked outrage among diaspora communities and human rights advocates.
NIDCOM emphasized that the case has been escalated to relevant authorities, including the Consular and Migration Directorate in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for urgent intervention and diplomatic engagement with Cape Verdean officials.
While urging Cape Verde to act within international standards and treat the Nigerian nationals with dignity, NIDCOM reiterated its commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
