The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed the release of the Nigerian girls detained by immigration authorities in Mauritius, saying they are now on their way back to Nairobi.
The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its Digital Media Unit, noting that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, is working with the Nigerian Embassy to ensure the incident is thoroughly addressed.
According to the statement, the embassy has formally engaged the Mauritian authorities to demand accountability and prevent a recurrence of the incident.
“The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission wishes to inform the public that the Nigerian girls who were previously detained have been released. They are currently on their way back to Nairobi,” the statement said.
It added that Dabiri-Erewa is actively engaging the relevant Nigerian Embassy, which has formally taken up the matter with the authorities in Mauritius.
NiDCOM reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and rights of Nigerians both at home and abroad, saying its intervention aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The commission, however, did not disclose the circumstances surrounding the detention or explain why the women were eventually released.
Detention Triggered Public Outrage
The development followed widespread outrage on social media after an X user alleged that the women had been detained at a Mauritian airport since July 31 without being informed of the reason for their arrest.
According to the post, immigration officials allegedly asked the travellers to sign an undisclosed document without providing any explanation of its contents.
The user claimed the women refused to sign until they understood what they were being asked to endorse.
“They didn’t know what it was and they politely asked if they could explain what the document was about so they know what they are signing. And all the immigration could tell them was they are not here to explain anything to them,” the post alleged.
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The X user, who claimed to have experienced a similar incident in Mauritius, further alleged that one of the detained women fell ill after enduring prolonged stress while in custody.
The post also claimed that one of the women had travelled to Mauritius to celebrate her birthday with friends before the group was detained by immigration officials.
The allegations sparked calls for urgent intervention, with many Nigerians urging the Federal Government and relevant agencies to engage the Mauritian authorities to secure the women’s release.
As of the time of filing this report, neither NiDCOM nor the Nigerian Embassy had disclosed the reasons for the women’s detention or the circumstances that led to their release.
Mauritian authorities had also not publicly commented on the allegations surrounding the incident.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.