The Federal Government is seeking a fresh six-month amnesty from the Indian authorities for Nigerians detained over immigration-related offences, as the Nigeria High Commission intensifies efforts to secure the release and repatriation of eligible inmates.
The development followed visits by officials of the Nigeria High Commission to 198 Nigerian inmates held across five prisons in Maharashtra, India.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in a statement issued by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the visits had been conducted as of September 1, 2026.
NiDCOM said Nigerians remained incarcerated in other Indian states, adding that the prison visits formed part of the Nigerian government’s ongoing consular intervention over the detention of its citizens.
According to the commission, the Federal Government is particularly concerned about Nigerians who have remained in detention over immigration violations despite having no pending criminal trials.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, is reportedly engaging her Indian counterpart over the proposed fresh six-month amnesty.
The Nigerian government had previously secured an amnesty arrangement between September last year and May this year, which resulted in the release and repatriation of thousands of Nigerians detained in India, mainly for immigration offences and other irregularities.
NiDCOM, however, said some Nigerians failed to take advantage of the earlier amnesty before it expired.
The commission said the latest negotiations were aimed at providing another opportunity for Nigerians who are being held in detention camps over immigration-related matters but do not have pending trials.
NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, urged Nigerians living in India without valid immigration status to take advantage of the proposed amnesty if and when it is approved.
She warned that Nigerians who continue to stay in India illegally risk arrest and detention.
The commission also clarified that the proposed amnesty would not cover Nigerians awaiting trial for criminal offences, including drug-related cases.
The Federal Government’s intervention also includes efforts to accelerate the cases of Nigerians awaiting trial for various offences.
NiDCOM said the Nigerian High Commission was putting pressure on the Indian authorities to speed up such cases while continuing to monitor the welfare of Nigerians in detention.
The commission also addressed the case of a Nigerian identified as Mr Ekene, whose detention had attracted public attention. It said the High Commission would review his case to determine whether he qualified for early release and repatriation.
Where he is found eligible to leave India, arrangements could be made for his return, subject to the necessary legal and administrative procedures and the ability of his family to meet the cost of his return, the commission said.
The latest diplomatic intervention highlights the Federal Government’s continuing efforts to protect Nigerians abroad while encouraging citizens to comply with immigration and other laws in their host countries.
NiDCOM appealed to Nigerians living overseas to maintain lawful immigration status and avoid activities that could lead to arrest, prosecution or prolonged detention.
The government is expected to continue discussions with Indian authorities on the proposed six-month amnesty, the welfare of detained Nigerians and the repatriation of those who qualify for release.
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