Nigeria demands release of tourists detained in Cape Verde

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has raised concern over the detention of six Nigerian tourists by immigration authorities in Cape Verde, seeking their release.

According to a statement issued by the commission via its X on Wednesday, the group, which travelled from Senegal to Cape Verde for vacation, was stopped on arrival and accused of not having sufficient funds, before they had their mobile phones were confiscated.

“The attention of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has been drawn to a case of 6 Nigerian tourists who travelled from Senegal to Cape Verde Island on a vacation.

“On arrival at Cape Verde, they were pulled out of the line. They were accused of not having enough funds, and their phones were confiscated. They were subsequently locked up in an immigration deportation camp at the airport,” the statement read in part.

The tourists, identified as David James Udoh, Lily Dada, Oghenero Adaware, Sherifat Abimbola Ogundairo, and Jesutomi Aina, were reported to have subsequently been locked up in an immigration deportation camp at the airport.

NiDCOM stated that reports indicated that the group is currently experiencing distress, with one member reportedly suffering from a poor medical condition and being denied access to necessary medication.

NiDCOM called on Cape Verdean immigration authorities to handle the matter with “respect and dignity” and “put them on the next immediate return flight to Dakar for onward connection back to Nigeria.”

“The families of the tourists, aged between 25 and 31, are said to be deeply worried about their safety and well-being.

“The case has been officially reported to the Consular and Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is expected to engage with Cape Verdean authorities on the issue,” the statement added.