Concerns Rise Over Maltreatment of 250 Nigerians in Ethiopian Prisons

Reactions have poured in following a disturbing video shared by Dr. Paul Ezike, shedding light on the alleged harsh conditions faced by over 250 Nigerians incarcerated in Kaliti Prisons, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This has reignited concerns about the plight of Nigerians in prisons abroad, particularly in Asian countries and Libya.

The video highlights the challenges faced by Nigerians detained in Guangdong Prisons in China, where some were rumored to have been secretly killed for organ trafficking. Reports suggest similar conditions for Nigerian inmates in Beijing and other Asian countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Nigerian migrants trying to reach Europe via Libya also face distressing conditions in Libyan prisons. Dr. Ezike’s video struck a chord as it involves an African nation, raising the alarm about the maltreatment of over 250 Nigerians, many of whom are believed to be innocent travelers detained for no apparent reason other than their nationality.

According to Dr. Ezike, having a Nigerian passport makes one a suspect, leading to unjustified detention, extortion, and inhumane treatment. Some Nigerians have spent years in prison without trial.

Earlier this year, two Nigerians, Favour Chizoba and Joachim Uchenna Nwanneneme, reportedly died in Kaliti Prison under questionable circumstances, potentially due to mistreatment.

While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed the allegations as exaggerated, both the Senate and House of Representatives are taking the matter seriously. The Senate has instructed its Committees on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs to investigate the incarceration of Nigerians in Ethiopia’s prisons, and the House of Representatives summoned the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Chair of Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to provide more information.

Critics argue that migration is not a crime, and many Nigerians may be facing undue hardship in foreign prisons due to their nationality rather than actual wrongdoing. They call on the government to use diplomatic channels to secure the release of innocent detainees and repatriate those who have committed offenses abroad.

Some believe that Nigeria should explore prison swaps with countries like Ethiopia for those convicted of severe crimes while advocating for the release of those with minor migration-related offenses. However, there’s a recognition that Nigeria must also address the issue of Nigerians falsely claiming other nationalities, which can complicate their legal status when detained in foreign countries.