More than 200 Nigerians detained at a deportation camp in New Delhi, India, have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerian diplomatic authorities to rescue them, alleging prolonged detention, inadequate food and healthcare, and deteriorating mental health.
The Nigerians, who identified themselves as citizens from different states including Delta and Akwa Ibom, made the appeal in videos seen by SaharaReporters.
One of the Nigerians, identified as Chukwuka Emmanuel from Delta State, said he had spent about 10 months at the deportation camp without being able to return to Nigeria.
“I am speaking on behalf of we, the Nigerian nationalities, here in New Delhi, Lampur, the deportation camp, New Delhi, India. I am speaking today because we are all fed up,” Emmanuel said.
“Most of us are here. For example, I have been here for 10 months, doing nothing in this camp.”
Emmanuel appealed to President Tinubu and Nigeria’s diplomatic representatives in India to intervene.
“Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, please sir, we call you for rescue. Some people, Nigerians here, some people are going crazy, some are going mad,” he said.
“Some don’t have one Naira to take themselves to Nigeria. Some don’t have anything to eat. We are suffering. We have suffered so much here, please.”
He also appealed to Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Tahiru Muhammad, to intervene.
Another detainee, Bronson Clever from Akwa Ibom State, said he had been at the facility since last June while some other Nigerians had allegedly spent between two and three years there.
He said their continued detention was not because they wanted to remain in India but because they could not afford the cost of returning home.
“We are not here because this place is too comfortable. We are not here because we like the place,” Clever said.
“We are only here because we cannot afford to take ourselves out of this place.”
Clever alleged that some detainees lacked adequate food and medication and said prolonged detention was affecting their mental health.
“Some of us here have been through a lot. We don’t have proper medication, no proper food. We have gone through depression and all of that,” he said.
He further alleged that efforts by relatives to assist some detainees with return tickets had sometimes resulted in complications.
“Personally, when families try to support them, Nigerian government makes them to lose their tickets. It makes most of them go through a series of pains,” he alleged.
The detainee also referred to a social media post by another Nigerian, identified as Ekene, saying the situation described online reflected what Nigerians inside the facility were experiencing.
“What he posted on Twitter is what we are going through in this place. We are suffering in this place,” Clever said.
He estimated that more than 200 Nigerians were being held at the facility.
“We have over 200 Nigerians in this place. We are not here because the place is the best place to stay. We are here because we cannot afford to take ourselves out of this place,” he said.
Clever also alleged that some detainees had died while others had experienced severe mental health difficulties during their prolonged stay.
“People have gone mad. Some persons have died,” he alleged.
He appealed to Nigerians, the Federal Government and President Tinubu to intervene.
“We plead with Nigerians to please come to our aid. We cannot do it on our own without you,” he said.
The Nigerians also alleged inadequate emergency response and healthcare at the facility.
“No proper medication. No proper feeding. We don’t have emergency. People go through a lot,” Clever said.
