Diplomatic Tussle Erupts Over Nigerian National Detained in Delhi

A growing diplomatic concern has emerged in New Delhi as the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) seeks clarity on the status of Ekene Chukwuma, a Nigerian national currently held at a detention facility in the national capital. Chukwuma, who has been in custody since December 2025, remains at the center of a conflicting narrative regarding his immigration status and the circumstances surrounding his prolonged detention.

Conflicting Accounts of Detention

The controversy gained public attention following an appeal by Arise TV journalist Rufai Oseni, who highlighted the plight of the Nigerian citizen. According to official statements from NiDCOM, Chukwuma’s legal troubles stem from an expired visa. The commission maintains that the Nigerian High Commission in India had previously provided an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) to facilitate his voluntary return to Nigeria during an amnesty window.

NiDCOM claims that while Chukwuma successfully arranged for his wife and three children to return to their home country, he chose to remain in India to pursue business interests despite lacking the necessary legal documentation. The commission asserts that because he failed to utilize the travel document during the amnesty period, the certificate expired while he was already in the custody of Indian authorities.

However, Chukwuma has vehemently disputed this version of events. In a rebuttal published via social media, he alleged that his family’s departure occurred well before the amnesty period was officially declared. Furthermore, he contends that the Emergency Travel Certificate was only provided to him after he had endured nearly six months in a deportation camp. According to the detained individual, had the documentation been processed earlier, he would have possessed the financial means to purchase a return flight. He further alleged that the issuance of the emergency document was subject to a fee of 35,000 rupees, casting doubt on the transparency of the repatriation process.

The Role of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office

The detention of Nigerian citizens in India often involves complex bureaucratic processes overseen by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). NiDCOM clarified that the FRRO is responsible for the primary verification of individuals awaiting deportation. It is only after this office clears an individual that the Nigerian High Commission can officially issue the travel documents required for transit back to Nigeria.

The commission acknowledged that while some Nigerians have successfully navigated this verification process and returned home, others, including Chukwuma, continue to languish in detention centers while awaiting final clearance from Indian authorities.

Seeking a Path Forward

The situation has prompted the Nigerian mission in India to take proactive steps to assist other citizens in similar predicaments. Recognizing the challenges faced by Nigerians residing or working in India without valid documentation, the mission has formally requested a new six-month amnesty period. Officials hope that this window will provide a legal pathway for those currently in the country to normalize their status or return home without incurring the punitive measures and detention periods that have characterized cases like Chukwuma’s.

As the case continues to unfold, both diplomatic channels and civil society observers remain focused on whether a resolution can be reached that addresses both Indian immigration law and the rights of the individuals currently held in detention.

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