Nigeria's High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Saidu Dahiru Muhammad, has visited correctional facilities across India and held direct interactions with 198 Nigerian citizens in detention, in what he described as a push for citizen-centred diplomacy.
Speaking during an interactive session with diplomatic correspondents in New Delhi on the sidelines of the 2026 BRICS Summit, Muhammad said the visits were aimed at understanding the welfare and concerns of Nigerians incarcerated in India.
According to the envoy, the mission visited several centres over a three-day period, including facilities housing 16, more than 70, and over 50 Nigerian inmates, as well as 19 women and girls in detention.
“This is to show that our government is concerned about its citizens. We call it citizen-centred diplomacy,” Muhammad said.
The High Commissioner said detainees raised concerns including alleged maltreatment, racial discrimination, limited access to legal representation, delays in court proceedings and inadequate medical attention.
Following engagements with prison authorities, he noted that many challenges stemmed from prolonged investigations and delays within the judicial process rather than the conduct of prison officials.
“We realised that prison officials were generally cooperative, but many detainees are awaiting trial and the judicial process takes time,” he said.
Muhammad stressed that regardless of the allegations, fundamental human rights must be respected.
“Universal principles require that all human beings be treated fairly. Their fundamental rights must not be abused, distorted or violated in any way, and their welfare must be taken care of,” he stated.
The mission has submitted a detailed report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlining the concerns and recommending actions.
According to Muhammad, the report received prompt attention from Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who pledged to elevate the issues to the highest levels of government.
“Nigeria remembers them. That is why we are going there,” he said.
Since assuming office seven weeks ago, the envoy said he has sent an average of one dispatch per week to Abuja on issues affecting Nigerians in India.
The mission has also strengthened engagement with the Nigerian community, urging leaders and organisations to bring concerns directly to the High Commission.
“We have told them that this mission is open to them. They can come here with their concerns and activities. We use those opportunities to advise them, caution them where necessary and address legitimate complaints,” he said.
Muhammad acknowledged funding constraints given India’s vast size and population of over 1.4 billion people, noting that the mission lacks the resources to establish consular offices across the country.
“We should have the capacity to go out and reach our people, so they know that we are here for them,” he added, while reaffirming commitment to serving Nigerians in India and strengthening bilateral relations through people-to-people engagement.