NIDCOM Clarifies Deportation of Ekene Chukwuma and Warns of Immigration Violations

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has provided an update on the case of Mr. Ekene Vitus Chukwuma, a Nigerian currently detained in Lampur Detention Camp in Delhi, India, following his arrest for overstaying a visa.

The Commission in a press release by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said Chukwuma was arrested in December 2025 after remaining in India without valid immigration documentation.

According to the Commission, Chukwuma informed a consular officer of the Nigerian High Commission in India by telephone that he had successfully returned his wife and three children to Nigeria, but that he had chosen to remain in India to pursue what he described as “business”.

NIDCOM said Chukwuma’s Nigerian passport expired in 2020, but he was issued an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) by the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate his return to Nigeria during a period of amnesty.

The Commission said that, however, he did not use the ETC, choosing instead to remain in India after his family returned to Nigeria.

He was subsequently arrested, while the ETC issued to him expired during his detention.

NIDCOM explained that deportation matters are handled by the Indian Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), which carries out the necessary checks and clearances before detainees can be deported.

The Commission said several Nigerians in detention had already been exonerated, while others remained in custody awaiting deportation.

He added that once detainees are cleared and ready for deportation, they are required to bear the cost of their return, while the Nigerian High Commission issues emergency travel certificates after receiving formal deportation requests from the relevant Indian authorities.

NIDCOM also revealed that the Nigerian High Commission recently received reports that some detainees were involved in the sale of illegal substances within a deportation camp.

According to the Commission, some detainees had petitioned the FRRO regarding the alleged activities.

NIDCOM stressed that Chukwuma’s case should be seen in the context of his decision to remain in India despite receiving the opportunity to return during the amnesty period.

The spokesperson said the Nigerian High Commission in India will continue to monitor Chukwuma’s situation, along with that of hundreds of other Nigerians facing deportation issues.

The Commission also revealed that the Mission has requested another six-month amnesty period for Nigerians residing and working illegally in India to allow them to return home without paying fines.

Balogun said the initiative was consistent with the federal government’s citizen-centred diplomacy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

The High Commission, according to the statement, also plans to carry out consular visits to prisons and detention centers in other Indian provinces to assess the welfare of Nigerian inmates and report the findings to the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Commission urged Nigerians living abroad to respect the immigration laws and regulations of their host countries.

“NiDCOM reiterates its warning to Nigerians abroad to always obey the law of host countries and avoid any form of lawlessness,” the statement read.