NiDCOM Secures Amnesty For Thousands Of Nigerians In Indian Prisons As Rufai, Dabiri Clash Over Stranded Nigerian In Detention Camp

The Federal Government has said it has secured amnesty for thousands of Nigerians detained in prisons across India after disagreement erupted between Arise TV broadcaster Oseni Rufai and the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, over a Nigerian identified as Ekene reportedly stranded at a deportation detention centre in India.

In a statement on Saturday, NiDCOM Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the Nigerian High Commission in India is actively working to assist hundreds of Nigerians detained in various prisons.

According to the commission, as of September 1, officials of the High Commission had visited 198 Nigerian inmates across five prisons in Maharashtra, Mumbai, adding that more Nigerians are still incarcerated in prisons across other provinces.

It said between September 2025 and May 2026, the High Commission secured amnesty for thousands of Nigerians held in Indian prisons, mainly over immigration offences and other irregularities. Those covered were released and returned to Nigeria, although some did not take advantage of the opportunity at the time.

NiDCOM said Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, has been engaging her Indian counterpart over another six-month amnesty for Nigerians who have not been tried but remain in detention camps over various offences.

On the case of Ekene, the commission said the High Commission would examine his situation and determine whether he qualifies for release and return.

“If he is one of those that can leave as soon as possible, he will, if his family can raise funds for him. But there are processes to be followed,” the statement said.

NiDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, advised Nigerians living irregularly in India to take advantage of any new amnesty when implemented.

“Nigerians in India, who are in India irregularly should take advantage of the next set of amnesty being negotiated when effected while others who are still staying there illegally, should utilise the opportunity or risk been arrested,” Dabiri-Erewa advised.

She added that beneficiaries would not be required to pay penalties but would have to bear the cost of their return, clarifying that the amnesty would not cover those awaiting trial for criminal offences including drug-related offences.

Rufai, Dabiri Clash

The development comes as Rufai and Dabiri-Erewa clashed on X over Ekene’s case.

Rufai alleged that he sent Ekene’s contact details and location at the Lampur detention centre in Sewa Sedan, New Delhi, to NiDCOM and Dabiri-Erewa about a week ago, but no official reached out to him.

Dabiri-Erewa said she had directed Rufai to send the details through NiDCOM’s official email channel, through which necessary response would be provided.

The disagreement played out after Rufai said he contacted Ekene and was informed he had not been contacted by NiDCOM. Rufai shared what he described as screenshots of an acknowledgement email from NiDCOM as evidence.

He also alleged that Dabiri-Erewa blocked him on the platform after he raised questions.

Responding, Dabiri-Erewa said she blocked Rufai and others because of what she described as the increasingly “toxic” nature of the platform.

“And below is the official response sent to Mr Rufai Oseni when he reached out after I asked him to do so,” she said, adding that further updates would be provided through NiDCOM’s official channels.

Rufai disputed the timeline, claiming the email response was sent at 7:59am on Sunday, after he raised the issue publicly. He said he contacted Ekene again and the Nigerian confirmed he had not received any communication.

“To God be the glory! I have just got off a phone call. A kind Nigerian is willing to help Ekene get back home,” Rufai said, adding that a donor had offered to assist with flight arrangements.

According to Rufai, Ekene’s wife and children are in Nigeria, while more than 200 Nigerians remain stranded at the deportation camp. He said reports indicate over 4,000 Nigerians have returned under the amnesty since May 2025.

Dabiri-Erewa said further information would be made available through NiDCOM’s official handles.