Abuja | July 30, 2025
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed that the Nigerian nationals who were reportedly stranded in the Central African Republic (CAR) have now been taken into protective custody by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui.
According to a statement released by NiDCOM on Tuesday, the affected individuals, believed to be artisanal miners, are receiving care and consular assistance pending their return to Nigeria.
The Commission explained that the intervention followed distress calls received from the miners, who had allegedly been subjected to harsh conditions after falling victim to deceptive employment arrangements. Some were said to have entered the country through irregular routes in search of economic opportunities in gold mining fields.
NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured that the Nigerian government is working with the appropriate CAR authorities to ensure the safe repatriation of the miners. She also warned Nigerians to be wary of illegal migration schemes and promised that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
“We are in touch with our embassy in Bangui, and arrangements are ongoing to facilitate the safe return of these citizens. We urge Nigerians to desist from engaging in unlawful travel arrangements or falling prey to job scams that place them in danger abroad,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Immigration Service have reportedly been briefed on the development and are expected to assist with follow-up processes.
This latest incident highlights the recurring risks associated with unregulated labor migration and exploitation of vulnerable Nigerians across parts of Africa and beyond.
