By Gabriel Ameh, The Sight News
Concerned about the growing reports of human rights violations against Nigerians during deportation, CSOnetMADE and the Network of Civil Society Organizations Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) have called for urgent reforms in the country’s return and readmission process.
At a press conference held in Abuja on February 6, 2025, the two civil society organizations highlighted the plight of deported Nigerians, many of whom face inhumane treatment, denial of due process, and lack of proper reintegration support.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Emeka Obiezu, National Coordinator of CSOnetMADE, delivered a strong call to action, urging the Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders to address the systemic failures in the deportation process.
“The treatment of Nigerians being deported from various countries is appalling. Many face violence, humiliation, and even detention upon arrival’’, he said. We demand an urgent review of the deportation, return, and readmission procedures to ensure respect for human dignity and adherence to international human rights standards.”
Describing an alarming case of systemic abuse, Dr. Emeka Obiezu explained that on January 22, 2025, a plane carrying deportees from Germany arrived in Lagos, among the passengers was Bright Obasuyi, a Nigerian citizen with documented medical conditions, including schizophrenia and epilepsy.
Despite being declared medically unfit for travel by health professionals and legal advocates in Germany, the authorities proceeded with his deportation. Upon arrival, Bright was unconscious and in critical condition. The whereabouts of another deportee who also arrived unconscious remain unknown.
Bright recounted his harrowing ordeal during an interview with Dr. Emeka Obiezu, National Coordinator of CSOnetMADE, and Mr. Rex Osa from Refugees4Refugees on January 31, 2025, where he described being violently dragged from his home at midnight, brutally beaten, chained, and subjected to degrading treatment by German police, immigration officers and other collaborating agencies.
Despite legal and medical interventions aimed at halting his deportation, Bright was forcibly administered medications, removed from his house and deported in chains around the head like a helmet and was throttled intermittently to inflict pain and discomfort.
During the interview, Dr. Obiezu asked if he had ever been in contact with Nigerian authorities throughout his deportation process in Germany. Bright responded:
“The only time I saw Nigerian authority in Germany was when the Germans sent me a letter to come to Munich that people wanted to see and talk to me. They said they were sourcing my passport and that they were from the Nigerian embassy, saying I should bring my local government of origin document, birth certificate, and so on.”
This brief interaction was his only contact with Nigerian representatives, who, rather than intervening in his case, were primarily involved in verifying his citizenship for deportation.
Upon arrival in Nigeria, Bright remained shackled. Before losing consciousness, he recounted seeing Nigeria Immigration Service Officials taking videos and photos of him. He passed out shortly after and required immediate medical attention.
Dr. Obiezu noted that this distressing case, along with other related incidents, highlights the gross violations of human rights endured by Nigerian deportees, adding that a recent report from Refugees for Refugees, a civil society organization in Germany, underscores the urgent need for government action by detailing abuses against children, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities during deportation processes.
CSOnetMADE, NACTAL Demand
Building on this Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring safe and dignified migration, CSOnetMADE and NACTAL demand the following:
- Thorough Investigation: Launch an independent, transparent investigation into the allegations of human rights violations during deportation, particularly by German authorities, and determine the whereabouts of the other unconscious individual.
- Accountability: Publicly release the investigation findings and ensure that those responsible for abuses are held accountable.
- Improved Reception Conditions: Guarantee that deportees are received with dignity and provided with immediate medical and psychological support upon arrival.
- CSO Involvement: Grant Civil Society Organisations the authority to participate in pre-departure and post-arrival activities to monitor deportees’ conditions and safeguard their rights.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Engage with German authorities to address these violations and ensure future deportations adhere to international human rights standards.
- Review of Standard Operating Procedures on Return, Readmission, and Reintegration: Review and update the Standard Operating Procedures on Return, Readmission, and Reintegration to recognize and address issues related to forced returns, ensuring that they align with international human rights standards.
They further noted that the treatment of Nigerians during deportation is an urgent national and international concern, adding that the Nigerian government must act swiftly to investigate these allegations, protect the rights of its citizens, and hold accountable those responsible for these abuses.
On his part, Comrade Osita Osemene, Secretary of NACTAL, emphasized the need for accountability in how Nigerian deportees are received and treated upon arrival. He noted that many deportees are abandoned at airports without proper documentation, financial support, or reintegration programs.
“Our government must take responsibility for its citizens. Deportees should not be treated like criminals simply because they had to leave another country. We need a structured and humane process that provides support and protects their fundamental rights.”
He called on authorities to ensure deportees are provided with legal assistance, psychological support, and economic reintegration opportunities to help them rebuild their lives.
Fielding questions from the Press on their engagement with the Nigerian government and international bodies, Comrade Osemene noted that while some government agencies have been responsive, there is still a lack of coordination between agencies handling deportation matters, leading to inconsistencies in how returnees are processed.
CSOnetMADE and NACTAL reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for policy changes that ensure deported Nigerians are treated with dignity and supported in their reintegration. They urged the government to take immediate steps to reform deportation policies, engage with foreign governments, and implement structured reintegration programs to prevent further human rights violations.
As global migration challenges continue, the fate of deported Nigerians remains a critical human rights issue. The press conference marks another step in the fight for a fair and humane deportation process, but it remains to be seen whether the government will act swiftly to address these concerns.
