Abike Dabiri asks Cape Verde to release detained Nigerian tourists

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has appealed to Cape Verdean authorities to release Nigerian tourists detained in the country.

Six Nigerian tourists identified as David James Udoh, Lily Dada, Oghenero Adaware, Sherifat Abimbola Ogundairo, and Jesutomi Aina reportedly went on a vacation trip from Senegal to Cape Verde.

Upon their arrival in Cape Verde, they were pulled out of the immigration line, accused of not having enough funds to sustain their stay, and had their phones confiscated.

In a statement on Wednesday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s spokesperson, Dabiri-Erewa revealed that the Nigerians are locked up in an immigration deportation camp at the airport.

Dabiri-Erewa added that the detainees are in distress, with one of them suffering from a medical condition and currently without access to his prescribed medication.

The NIDCOM chairperson appealed to Cape Verdean immigration authorities to release the detained Nigerians.

She said their return is “of utmost concern”, adding that the ministry of foreign affairs and migration directorate “will follow through”.

“We appeal to the immigration authorities in Cape Verde to please treat the tourists with respect and dignity and put them on the next immediate return flight to Dakar for onward connection back to Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“The families of these young Nigerians, ranging between 25 and 31 years, have been expectedly worried about the safety of their children.

“The matter has also been reported to the Consular and Migration Directorate in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”