PRESS STATEMENT : RE-EKENE VITUS CHUKWUMA’s DEPORTATION ISSUE IN INDIA
Pan Afric Reporters
Here is an update on the case of
Mr. Ekene Vitus Chukwuma in India.
Mr Ekene is currently in Lampur detention camp, Delhi, India.
He was arrested in December, 2025, for visa overstay.
He informed the *Consular Officer of our High Commission* via telephone call that he successfully sent his wife and three children back to Nigeria but stayed back to do some “business” despite lack of proper documentation,
with a passport that expired since 2020. He was issued an ETC (Emergency Travel Certificate) by the Nigerian High Commission to allow him return home during the amnesty period.
However, he chose not to use the ETC, sent his wife and children back home, while he stayed behind.
He was arrested again and his ETC expired while he was in detention.
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), are in charge of deportation, and will only deport after the individual has been checked and cleared.
They have cleared many but more are still being detained and awaiting deportation.
When they are cleared and ready to be sent back (at their own expense) .
The High Commission of Nigeria in India will then issue an Emergency Travel Certificates (ETC) to them after receiving the request of deportation concerning those to be deported.
The High Commission said it recently received a report that some of the detainees were engaged in sale of illegal substances “market” even inside the deportation camp, and some detainees petitioned the Foreigners Regional Registration Office.
In summary, Mr Ekene remained in India with a passport that expired in 2020. He got an amnesty to return last year but rather chose to remain, while he sent his wife and children back home The ETC given to him to return home expired while he was arrested and put in a deportation camp.
The Nigerian High Commission would continue to monitor the situation of Ekene and hundreds of other deportees as the Mission has requested for another round of six months amnesty for those Nigerians residing and working illegally in India to leave without any payment of penalties.
*( Pls find attached the copies of ETC issued to Ekine which he refused utilising to return home as well as his expired Nigerian passport ).*
Also attached is a picture of the visit to Prisons in Mumbai, State of Maharashtra by the High Commissioner, Ambassador Saidu Dahiru Muhammad and some Members some Mission’s diplomatic staff.
As a continuation of the implementation of the federal government ‘s foreign policy of citizen-centred diplomacy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Mission plans to embark on consular visits across other provinces to check on the welfare of Nigerian inmates and report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accordingly.
NIDCOM hereby reiterates its warning to Nigerians abroad to always obey the law of their host countries and avoid any form of illegality.
E-Signed .
Abdur-Rahman Balogun
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols NiDCOM, Abuja.
Sept. 16, 2026.
