The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has defended its account of the detention of Nigerian national Ekene Vitus Chukwuma in India. In fact, the situation exemplifies the difficulties faced by a Nigerian detained in India. It insists he remained in the country without valid immigration documents.
According to The PUNCH, NiDCOM responded on Thursday after Chukwuma disputed aspects of the commission’s earlier explanation of his detention. He was held at the Lampur detention camp in Delhi as a Nigerian detained in India.
The commission said Chukwuma’s Nigerian passport expired in 2020. It also said he was arrested in December 2025 for overstaying his visa, a common outcome for a Nigerian detained in India due to visa infractions.
“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,” NiDCOM said.
Chukwuma disputes NiDCOM account
Chukwuma reportedly challenged the commission’s claim that he had earlier received an Emergency Travel Certificate during an amnesty period. However, he failed to use it. Moreover, the story highlights wider challenges for any Nigerian detained in India today.
He alleged that he remained in detention for nearly six months before receiving an ETC in May 2026.
NiDCOM, however, maintained that his immigration status remained central to the case.
“Presenting him as a victim while ignoring this fact stereotypes law-abiding Nigerians who travel and live abroad legally,” the commission said.
It added that the Foreigners Regional Registration Office in India was responsible for deportation procedures. It said detainees must first receive clearance before they can be removed from the country.
Commission urges regular migration
NiDCOM said the Nigerian High Commission would issue new travel certificates to Nigerians cleared for deportation once requests were received from Indian authorities.
The High Commission has also requested another six-month amnesty for Nigerians living or working illegally in India. This would allow them to leave without penalties.
“Use your platform to promote regular migration, not visa overstay. Irregular stay is a crime. It harms the image of every Nigerian who follows the rules,” NiDCOM said.
The commission maintained that it would continue to intervene in genuine cases involving Nigerians facing difficulties abroad. For many, the experience of a Nigerian detained in India highlights the importance of regularising immigration status. Meanwhile, it urged citizens to obey the laws of their host countries.
