The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has defended its response to the detention of over 200 Nigerians at the Lampur deportation camp in New Delhi, stating that some, including a man named Ekene, did not take advantage of a six-month amnesty period extended by Indian authorities. The amnesty, initially launched on May 1, 2025, and later extended by three months following intervention by Nigeria's High Commissioner, allowed undocumented Nigerian migrants to regularise their status or leave India without penalties. NiDCOM said more than 4,000 Nigerians returned home under the programme, but those who remained, including Ekene, were arrested and are now awaiting deportation. The commission clarified that deportation logistics are managed solely by Indian authorities, who typically consolidate detainees before arranging airlifts to reduce costs.
Journalist Rufai Oseni, who brought Ekene's case to public attention, said he shared the detainee's contact details with NiDCOM after being directed to official channels by Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa, yet no contact was made. Oseni quoted Ekene as saying no representative from NiDCOM or the Nigerian High Commission had reached out, and described conditions at the facility as "harrowing". NiDCOM responded that its legal team is monitoring the situation and that the High Commission is pushing for another amnesty extension. Oseni dismissed the explanation as reactive, arguing that urgent action is needed to secure the release and repatriation of the detainees, many of whom are separated from families in Nigeria. Public reaction remains divided, with some criticising NiDCOM's delayed response and others holding the detainees accountable for failing to comply with Indian immigration rules.
NiDCOM claims it acted through diplomatic channels while Oseni says no contact was made with the detainee despite shared information. The gap between official process and individual outcome leaves families uncertain about how to navigate consular assistance when cases go public. If engagement is happening, it is not reaching those it is meant to help.
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