The Nigerian government has secured the release and return of thousands of Nigerians detained in Indian prisons, with efforts underway to obtain another six-month amnesty for others still held without trial, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has said.

NiDCOM disclosed that the Nigerian High Commission in India secured the amnesty between September 2025 and May 2026, largely for Nigerians detained over immigration offences and other irregularities.

According to a statement by NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, some of those granted the amnesty were released and repatriated to Nigeria, although not all eligible Nigerians took advantage of the opportunity when it was available.

The development comes as the Nigerian High Commission continues to pursue the cases of Nigerians still in detention across India. As of September 1, officials of the mission had visited 198 Nigerian inmates in five prisons in Maharashtra, Mumbai, while other Nigerians remain incarcerated in prisons in different Indian provinces.

NiDCOM said Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, was engaging the Indian authorities on the possibility of securing another six-month amnesty, particularly for Nigerians who have not been tried but remain in detention camps over various offences.

The commission said the High Commission was also reviewing individual cases, including that of a Nigerian identified as Mr Ekene, to determine whether he qualifies for release and repatriation.

“If he is one of those that can leave as soon as possible, he will, if his family can raise funds for him. But there are processes to be followed,” NiDCOM said.

The commission added that the diplomatic mission was handling similar cases while pressing the Indian authorities to expedite the trials of Nigerians awaiting prosecution, signalling continued government efforts to secure legal assistance, release and repatriation for Nigerians caught up in India’s detention system.