NIDCOM demands probe as Nigerian dies in ‘Luxembourg police custody’

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has condemned reports alleging that Daniel Eheri, a Nigerian, died in Luxembourg police custody.

A statement issued on Wednesday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM media director, said the commission would work closely with the Nigerian embassy in Belgium to ensure investigations into the circumstances that led to Eheri’s death.

Eheri’s death was made public in a petition to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NIDCOM chair, sent by the Nigerian community in Luxembourg.

The petition was signed by Sunday Adekolu, the community’s national coordinator.

According to the petition, Eheri was arrested by the Luxembourg police on February 10 while in possession of “foodstuff”, but was confirmed dead the following day “without explanation”.

The petition raised concerns over the circumstances that led to his death.

“The late Eheri Daniel was a Nigerian with an untainted record in Luxembourg and a residence permit holder,” Adekolu stated.

“To prevent a recurrence of such a dastardly act of inhumanity against our people here in Luxembourg, there must be transparency and justice in the handling of this case.”

Adekolu also noted that Obinna Onowu, Nigeria’s ambassador to Belgium — whose diplomatic coverage includes Luxembourg — had written two letters concerning the case but received no response.

“The ambassador’s efforts were rebuffed, as there had been no official response to his letters on the matter,” the petition reads.

Adekolu called on NIDCOM for urgent assistance to clarify the facts of the case and push for an autopsy report from the Luxembourg police in Grand-Ducale.

Dabiri-Erewa strongly condemned the incident, condoled with Eheri’s family and noted that the commission would investigate the matter.