There is growing concern about the frequent abuse and harassment of Nigerians abroad, particularly as more citizens leave the country due to economic hardships. In recent months, reports of mistreatment have surfaced, even in other African nations. Despite appeals for justice, many victims' families find their cries unanswered.
Over the past seven years, more than 350 Nigerians have been extrajudicially killed in foreign countries, often by non-state actors without any justifiable cause.
On June 26, 2024, protests erupted outside the Republic of Benin Embassy in Abuja. Nigerian youths demanded the release of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, a cleric detained in Benin for over a year. Accused of rape by a Beninese citizen, Egbaji has been held without trial and allegedly subjected to harsh conditions, including being chained in a hospital. Protesters decried his prolonged detention without due process.
In response to such injustices, the previous administration under President Muhammadu Buhari established the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to address the mistreatment of Nigerians abroad, particularly those unjustly imprisoned. NiDCOM’s chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, highlighted the alarming rate of killings of Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus, revealing that 13 Nigerians were killed over six years.
In July 2022, the brutal murder of 39-year-old Nigerian, Alika Ogorchukwu, by an Italian man shocked the nation. Ogorchukwu was beaten to death in full view of onlookers. That same month, two Nigerian security guards, Tosin Amos-Arowoshegbe and Chibueze Momah, were gunned down in Canada. Another Nigerian, Chizoba Favour Eze, died in an Ethiopian prison after being beaten by officials and left untreated.
Nigerians in South Africa have faced relentless xenophobic attacks, with over 200 killed extrajudicially since 2016. Many others languish in prisons abroad for minor or no offenses. A 2021 report by Patriotic Citizens Initiatives revealed that 170,000 Nigerians were serving prison terms globally, a sharp increase from 16,300 in 2012.
In Benin Republic, over 3,000 Nigerians are imprisoned. Ayobamidele Kehinde, International Director for Dynamic Ambassadors For Social Transformation and Orientation Initiative, emphasized that Benjamin Egbaji's case is just one of many. He urged global intervention, stating that many Nigerians in Beninese prisons are unjustly detained.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun of NiDCOM’s Media and Public Relations Unit attributed many cases to "communication gaps" and a lack of respect for local laws. He cited an example in Dubai where a Nigerian woman was imprisoned for filming at the airport, violating local regulations.
Balogun confirmed that the Nigerian government is actively involved in Pastor Egbaji's case, ensuring his rights are protected. Despite receiving a letter from Egbaji's lawyer in March 2024, Balogun was unaware of the cleric's current harsh conditions but assured support through additional legal assistance.
The ongoing plight of Nigerians abroad calls for continued advocacy and diplomatic efforts to protect their rights and ensure justice for victims of abuse and wrongful imprisonment.
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