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Ohanaeze Urges President Tinubu to Negotiate Release of 1.3 Million Nigerians in Indian Prisons

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 18th, 2024.

Ohanaeze Urges President Tinubu to Negotiate Release of 1.3 Million Nigerians in Indian Prisons

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, a prominent figure in Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to use the opportunity of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to push for the release of over 1.3 million Nigerians currently incarcerated in Indian prisons.

In a statement provided to LEADERSHIP, Isiguzoro revealed that, based on credible intelligence, more than 1.3 million Nigerians are imprisoned across India’s 28 states. He stressed that India now holds the highest number of Nigerian prisoners, a situation that requires urgent attention from Nigeria’s leadership.

Isiguzoro highlighted that many of these individuals are victims of India’s strict immigration policies, which often fail to differentiate between legitimate students, medical travelers, and businesspeople. “The plight of these Nigerians calls for immediate diplomatic intervention,” he said.

The Ohanaeze leader urged President Tinubu to use his influence during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to advocate for the swift release of those wrongfully detained, particularly those who have been held for extended periods without fair trials. He described the large number of Nigerians in Indian prisons as alarming, underscoring the need to address the complexities within the Nigeria-India relationship.