Renowned human rights advocate and former Senator Shehu Sani has issued a passionate plea for the Federal Government (FG) to take immediate action towards the repatriation of Nigerians currently languishing in prisons across various countries. In a bold statement shared on his official X handle, Sani called for the FG to extend its diplomatic reach to countries such as Mali, Ethiopia, Benin, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and others, where Nigerian citizens remain behind bars.
According to the former Senator, while those incarcerated may have allegedly committed crimes, the Nigerian government has a responsibility to its citizens, regardless of their conduct abroad. Sani emphasized that it is not enough to assume guilt and abandon these individuals to foreign justice systems. Instead, he advocates for a comprehensive repatriation effort, where these citizens can be investigated and, if necessary, prosecuted on Nigerian soil.
“The practice of neglecting Nigerians in foreign jails on the belief that they have committed crimes is irresponsible,” Sani stated firmly. “The nation has a duty to its citizens, irrespective of their conduct abroad.”
He further urged key ministries—namely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Justice—to collaborate on this critical mission. He stressed that if mandated to work jointly, these ministries can pool their expertise and resources to achieve the necessary diplomatic outcomes.
Sani’s call highlights a growing concern about the treatment of Nigerians detained abroad, many of whom face poor prison conditions, legal challenges, and the absence of proper legal representation. By advocating for their repatriation, he is not asking for impunity but rather that justice is administered with dignity and within a system that recognizes their rights as Nigerian citizens.
“The FG must request for their repatriation even if we are going to be denied,” Sani concluded, underscoring the need for consistent efforts in protecting Nigerians abroad, irrespective of the obstacles that may arise.
This call to action from the former senator reignites the conversation around how Nigeria handles the plight of its citizens overseas, pushing for stronger diplomatic engagement and a more humane approach to justice.
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