NiDCOM fires back over Nigerian detained in India

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has maintained its position on the detention of a Nigerian man in India, Ekene Vitus Chukwuma, following fresh claims disputing the circumstances of his arrest and prolonged detention.

NiDCOM said Chukwuma had been staying in India without valid Nigerian travel documents and was arrested in December 2025 over alleged visa overstay.

The commission made its position known in a statement shared on X on Thursday while responding to reports quoting Chukwuma as challenging some of the details earlier provided by the agency.

According to NiDCOM, Chukwuma’s Nigerian passport expired in 2020, yet he allegedly remained in India for several years while carrying out business activities.

The commission argued that his expired travel document and continued stay in India were important factors in understanding his situation.

NiDCOM said, “His Nigerian passport expired in 2020, six years ago. Remaining in another country after that, without valid documents, to do business is visa overstay. That is an offence.”

The agency also rejected any suggestion that it had deliberately misrepresented the circumstances surrounding the case.
Reports had quoted Chukwuma as saying he was detained at a deportation camp in Delhi from December 2025 and did not receive an Emergency Travel Certificate until May 2026.

He was also said to have challenged NiDCOM’s earlier claim that he had received an Emergency Travel Certificate during an amnesty programme but failed to use it to return to Nigeria.
However, NiDCOM maintained that Chukwuma had previously been given an opportunity to leave India.

The commission said Chukwuma had told a consular officer of the Nigerian High Commission that his wife and three children had returned to Nigeria, while he remained in India to continue his business.

NiDCOM further stated that the Nigerian High Commission had issued him an Emergency Travel Certificate to facilitate his return during an amnesty period, but he allegedly did not use the document.
The commission said the certificate subsequently expired after Chukwuma was arrested and detained.

According to the agency, Indian immigration authorities, particularly the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, are responsible for processing deportation cases. It added that detainees must first receive clearance from the relevant Indian authorities before deportation can take place.

NiDCOM said the Nigerian High Commission would issue fresh Emergency Travel Certificates to Nigerians cleared for deportation upon receiving requests from Indian authorities.

The commission also disclosed that the Nigerian mission had sought another six-month amnesty period for Nigerians living and working illegally in India to enable them to return home without penalties.

NiDCOM urged Nigerians abroad to comply with immigration laws in their host countries, stressing that Nigerians in the diaspora should protect the country’s image by following legal migration procedures.

The commission, however, reiterated that it would continue to intervene in genuine cases involving Nigerians facing difficulties abroad.