By Ebi Kesiena
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called on the authorities in Cape Verde to immediately release and facilitate the return of six Nigerian tourists who were detained upon arrival in the island nation.
The Commission condemned the treatment of the travellers, stressing that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
In a statement on Wednesday, signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit at NiDCOM, the Commission noted that the six tourists, David James Udoh, Lily Dada, Oghenero Adaware, Sherifat Abimbola Ogundairo, Jesutomi Aina, and a travel agent affiliated with Irin Travels and The Faraway, had travelled from Senegal to Cape Verde for a vacation.
However, upon arrival, they were reportedly pulled aside by immigration officers, accused of not having sufficient funds, and had their phones confiscated. They were then detained in an immigration deportation camp at the airport.
The statement notes that reports from the detention centre indicate the travellers are under severe distress and trauma, with one of them reportedly having a medical condition and no access to necessary medication.
Dabiri-Erewa appealed to Cape Verdean immigration authorities to uphold the principles of human rights by treating the detained Nigerians with dignity and facilitating their immediate return to Dakar, Senegal, for onward travel back to Nigeria.
The statement further adds that the families of the detained tourists, aged between 25 and 31, have been extremely distressed over the incident, especially due to the lack of communication and concern for their wellbeing.
Meanwhile, NiDCOM confirmed that the matter has been reported to the Consular and Migration Directorate in Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for appropriate diplomatic engagement.
