Nigerian envoy visits 198 citizens in Indian prison, preaches welfare

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Saidu Dahiru Muhammad, has taken Nigeria’s citizen-centred diplomacy beyond official meetings and into prison cells, visiting 198 Nigerians in detention across India and pressing authorities over their welfare.

Speaking in New Delhi during an interaction with diplomatic correspondents covering the 2026 BRICS Summit, Muhammad said the three-day outreach was aimed at ensuring detained Nigerians were not forgotten.

The inmates raised concerns about delays in court trials, limited access to legal representation, alleged discrimination and inadequate medical care.

Muhammad said discussions with prison officials showed that many cases were stalled by prolonged judicial processes rather than prison authorities.

He said the Nigerian mission had submitted a detailed report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu had pledged to escalate the issues.

“Regardless of the allegations against them, their fundamental rights must be respected,” Muhammad said.

The High Commissioner, who assumed office seven weeks ago, said the mission had also strengthened engagement with the Nigerian community in India, despite limited resources to cover the country’s vast population and geography.

“Nigeria remembers them. That is why we are going there,” he added.