Federal Government has begun efforts to secure the transfer of more than 100 Nigerians imprisoned in Ethiopia back to Nigeria to serve the remainder of their sentences under a prisoner-transfer arrangement between the two countries.
Gatekeepers News reports that the move is aimed at addressing concerns over the welfare and conditions of Nigerian inmates in Ethiopian correctional facilities.
According to reports, the initiative is being coordinated through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Mission in Ethiopia, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
The transfer process is expected to be carried out under existing agreements that allow convicted persons to complete their jail terms in their home countries.
The issue of Nigerians incarcerated in Ethiopia has attracted public attention in recent years, with concerns raised over overcrowding, poor healthcare, inadequate feeding, and other harsh conditions in prisons such as Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa.
Families and advocacy groups have repeatedly appealed to the Nigerian government to intervene on behalf of affected citizens.
NiDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had previously disclosed that discussions were ongoing between Nigerian and Ethiopian authorities on a memorandum of understanding for the transfer of sentenced persons.
She noted that many of the inmates were convicted for drug-related offences and that the Nigerian government was pursuing diplomatic channels to facilitate their return.
