The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed the release of the Nigerian girls who were detained in Mauritius, saying they are now on their way back to Nigeria after being released in Nairobi.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by its Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
According to the statement, NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has been working closely with the Nigerian Embassy, which formally engaged the Mauritian authorities to secure the girls’ release and ensure accountability.
“The Nigerian Embassy has formally taken up the matter with the authorities concerned to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
She confirmed that the girls had been safely released and were returning home.
“The girls have been safely released in Nairobi and are currently en route to Nigeria,” she said.
The NiDCOM Chairman expressed relief over their release and said the Commission would like to hear directly from the victims to guide future interventions.
“We hope the affected ladies will be willing to share their experiences to inform any necessary follow-up actions and support measures,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting Nigerians living and travelling abroad, stressing that the welfare of citizens in the diaspora remains a top priority.
“The welfare, safety and protection of Nigerians, wherever they may be, will always remain a priority,” she said.
She added that NiDCOM would continue to work with Nigerian diplomatic missions and relevant authorities to safeguard the rights of Nigerians overseas and prevent similar incidents.
“We remain committed to working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the protection of Nigerians abroad and to prevent a recurrence of such incidents,” Dabiri-Erewa added.
The Commission said its intervention aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places priority on the welfare and protection of Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.