The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has warned Nigerians living in India against overstaying their visas or remaining in the country without valid travel documents, stressing that violators risk detention and deportation.
The warning comes against the background of the case of a Nigerian identified as Mr Ekene, who is currently being held at the Lampur detention camp in Delhi after being arrested for visa overstay.
According to NiDCOM, Ekene was arrested in December 2025 after remaining in India despite the expiration of his visa and Nigerian passport, which expired in 2020.
The Commission explained that Ekene informed a Consular Officer of the Nigerian High Commission in India by telephone that he had successfully sent his wife and three children back to Nigeria but chose to remain in India to do some “business” despite lacking proper documentation.
NiDCOM stated that Ekene was issued an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) by the Nigerian High Commission to enable him return to Nigeria during an amnesty period.
However, he did not utilise the travel document and instead remained in India after sending his family home.
He was subsequently arrested and placed in detention, while the ETC issued to him expired during his detention.
The Commission noted that the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, FRRO is responsible for the deportation process and can only facilitate deportation after individuals have been checked and cleared.
It stated that several Nigerians had already been cleared, while others remained in detention awaiting deportation.
According to NiDCOM, once detainees are cleared and ready for deportation, they are expected to bear the cost of their return, after which the Nigerian High Commission issues Emergency Travel Certificates upon receiving the relevant deportation request.
The Commission further disclosed that it recently received reports alleging that some detainees were involved in the sale of illegal substances within the deportation camp.
It explained that some detainees had also petitioned the FRRO over the situation.
NiDCOM stated that Ekene’s case illustrated the consequences of remaining in a foreign country without valid documentation, noting that he had been given an opportunity to return to Nigeria under an amnesty arrangement but chose to remain.
The Commission said the Nigerian High Commission in India would continue to monitor Ekene’s situation and that of other Nigerians facing deportation.
It further stated that the Mission had requested another six-month amnesty period for Nigerians residing and working illegally in India to leave the country without payment of penalties.
NiDCOM also said the Nigerian High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Saidu Dahiru Muhammad, and diplomatic staff had undertaken consular visits, including visits to prisons in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to assess the welfare of Nigerian inmates.
The Commission explained that the visits were part of the Federal Government’s citizen-centred diplomacy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
It added that the Mission plans to extend consular visits to other provinces to check on the welfare of Nigerian inmates and report its findings to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
