NiDCOM has condemned reports of Nigerian women suffering r@pe and abuse in Indian deportation centres.
Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa demanded urgent investigation, protection for victims, and accountability for perpetrators.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has expressed outrage over disturbing reports that young Nigerian women detained in deportation facilities in New Delhi, India, have been subjected to sexual assault, physical abuse, and the forced intake of unidentified substances.
In a statement signed on Tuesday, September 30, by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, denounced the alleged acts as degrading, cruel, and a clear violation of human dignity and fundamental rights.
According to testimonies and videos said to have been shared by some of the victims, the detainees were allegedly r@ped, assaulted, and intimidated. The Commission described the reports as heartbreaking, stressing that such treatment was unacceptable under any circumstance.
NiDCOM also raised concern over allegations of exploitation by middlemen and certain groups said to be taking advantage of the victims’ vulnerable situation through extortion and corrupt practices.
“Wherever they are, Nigerians deserve to be treated with respect and humanity. Their vulnerability must never be exploited under the pretext of immigration enforcement,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
The Commission urged Indian authorities to launch a swift investigation into the allegations, dismantle any networks enabling the abuses, and guarantee the safety of Nigerians in the country. “If these accounts are confirmed, they represent not just an assault on the victims but also a serious subversion of justice and due process,” Dabiri-Erewa warned.
NiDCOM assured families that the matter is being taken seriously, noting that the Commission is working with the Nigerian High Commission in India, relevant Indian agencies, and international human rights organizations to verify the claims.
It called for immediate protection and rehabilitation of the victims, including medical and psychological care, while demanding accountability for perpetrators.
“Our sympathy is with the young women and men caught in this ordeal,” Dabiri-Erewa added. “We will not relent until justice is pursued, and Nigeria will continue to stand by its citizens wherever they may be.”
