The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to assist Nigerians detained in various prisons and detention facilities across India, with officials of the Nigerian High Commission visiting 198 inmates in five prisons in Maharashtra, Mumbai.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
According to the commission, the visits formed part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian High Commission in India to monitor the welfare of Nigerians in detention and intervene in cases requiring consular assistance.
“As at September 1, the Nigeria High Commission officials in India had visited 198 inmates across five prisons in Maharashtra, Mumbai,” NiDCOM said.
The commission noted that the 198 inmates were not the only Nigerians currently in detention in India, adding that Nigerians were also being held in prisons in other provinces.
“There are still more Nigerians in prisons in other provinces,” it said.
NiDCOM said the Nigerian High Commission had, over the past year, also secured the release of thousands of Nigerians detained in India, particularly those facing immigration-related issues and other irregularities.
The commission explained that between September 2025 and May 2026, the High Commission secured an amnesty programme under which thousands of Nigerians languishing in Indian prisons were released and returned to Nigeria.
“Not only that, between September last year and May this year, the Nigeria High Commission got amnesty for thousands of Nigerians languishing in India prisons, mainly for immigration offences and some other irregularities,” the commission said.
It added that although many Nigerians took advantage of the amnesty and returned home, some others failed to utilise the opportunity before the programme ended.
“They have been released and returned home, but some did not take advantage of the amnesty as at the time it was given,” NiDCOM said.
The commission further disclosed that Nigeria was seeking another opportunity for Nigerians who remain in detention without pending trials.
It said Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, had been engaging the Indian authorities on the possibility of securing another six-month amnesty for Nigerians detained in camps over immigration-related and other irregularities.
“Her Excellency, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu has been engaging with her counterpart in India for another six months amnesty for Nigerians who do not have any trial but are in detention camps for one offence or another,” the commission said.
NiDCOM said the renewed diplomatic engagement was aimed at ensuring that Nigerians who qualify for such relief could return home after completing the necessary processes.
The commission also addressed the case of a Nigerian identified as Mr Ekene, whose detention in India had generated concern.
NiDCOM said the Nigerian High Commission would examine his case and determine whether he was among those who could be released under the applicable procedures.
“In the case of Mr Ekene being mentioned in India, the Nigerian High Commission in India would look into his matter and if he is one of those that can leave as soon as possible, he will, if his family can raise funds for him,” it said.
The commission, however, stressed that release from detention would require compliance with the relevant procedures.
“But there are processes to be followed,” it added.
NiDCOM said the High Commission was not only handling individual cases but was also engaging Indian authorities over Nigerians whose cases were before the courts.
“The Nigerian High Commission is on his case and that of others in similar circumstances and has also been putting pressure on the Indian government to speed up cases of those awaiting trials for various offences,” the commission said.
The commission urged Nigerians residing in India without valid immigration status to take advantage of any fresh amnesty that may be approved by the Indian government.
NiDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, warned that Nigerians who continue to stay illegally in India could face arrest if they fail to regularise their status or take advantage of the amnesty.
“Nigerians in India, who are in India irregularly should take advantage of the next set of amnesty being negotiated when effected,” Dabiri-Erewa advised.
She added that Nigerians who continued to remain in the country illegally should not ignore the opportunity when it becomes available.
“Others who are still staying there illegally should utilise the opportunity or risk being arrested,” she warned.
NiDCOM, however, clarified that the proposed amnesty would not apply to Nigerians facing criminal trials.
“The amnesty does not include those awaiting trial for criminal offences like drugs,” the commission said.
The commission therefore appealed to Nigerians living in India and other countries to respect the laws of their host countries and avoid activities that could lead to arrest, prosecution or imprisonment.
“We appeal again to Nigerians to avoid offences or crimes and obey laws of the countries they find themselves in,” NiDCOM said.
The commission said the Federal Government, through its diplomatic missions, would continue to provide appropriate consular assistance to Nigerians in distress while urging citizens abroad to maintain lawful conduct and valid immigration status.