The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has provided an update on efforts by the Federal Government to address the cases and welfare of Nigerians detained in various prisons and correctional facilities across India.
NIDCOM said the Nigerian High Commission in India has been actively engaging Indian authorities and visiting detained Nigerian citizens as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to protect the interests and welfare of Nigerians living abroad.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
According to the Commission, officials of the Nigerian High Commission had visited 198 Nigerian inmates across five prisons in Maharashtra, India.
The intervention is part of Nigeria’s wider diplomatic engagement with Indian authorities over cases involving Nigerians in detention.
Recent reports also indicate that Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Saidu Dahiru Muhammad, personally interacted with 198 Nigerians held in different correctional facilities during a three-day visit. The detainees reportedly raised concerns including delays in court proceedings, access to legal representation, alleged discrimination and inadequate medical attention.
NIDCOM said the 198 inmates visited in Maharashtra were only part of the Nigerians currently in detention, noting that there are other Nigerians held in prisons and detention facilities in different parts of India.
The Commission further disclosed that between September 2025 and May 2026, the Nigerian High Commission secured an amnesty arrangement that enabled thousands of Nigerians detained mainly for immigration-related offences and other irregularities to leave India and return home.
However, NIDCOM noted that some Nigerians did not take advantage of the amnesty when it was available.
The Commission said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has also been engaging her Indian counterpart over the possibility of another amnesty period for Nigerians held in detention camps without ongoing criminal trials.
NIDCOM explained that the proposed extension is expected to provide an opportunity for Nigerians whose cases are related to immigration irregularities to regularise their status or return to Nigeria.
The Nigerian High Commission is also expected to review the case of a Nigerian identified as Mr Ekene, whose situation has reportedly generated concern in India.
According to NIDCOM, the mission will determine whether Ekene qualifies to leave under the applicable arrangement and assist where possible, although any release or departure would be subject to the relevant procedures and, where necessary, financial support from his family.
The Commission said the High Commission is also following the cases of other Nigerians in similar circumstances while continuing discussions with Indian authorities to expedite cases involving Nigerians awaiting trial.
NIDCOM urged Nigerians who are currently staying in India without valid immigration status to take advantage of any fresh amnesty arrangement once it is formally implemented.
The Commission warned that Nigerians who remain in the country illegally risk arrest and detention if they fail to regularise their status or leave voluntarily.
However, NIDCOM clarified that an immigration amnesty would not apply to Nigerians facing criminal trials, particularly cases involving serious offences such as drug-related crimes.
The Commission therefore advised Nigerians living in India and other foreign countries to respect the laws of their host countries and avoid activities that could lead to arrest or prosecution.
The Federal Government has continued to describe the protection of Nigerians abroad as an important part of its citizen-centred diplomacy. The Nigerian mission in India has also said it will continue engaging Indian authorities over the welfare and legal rights of detained Nigerians.
