Six Nigerian tourists who were recently detained in Cape Verde have now been released and are under the care of the Nigerian Embassy in Senegal, according to updates shared on Wednesday.
The group — David James Udoh, Lily Dada, Oghenero Adaware, Sherifat Abimbola Ogundairo, Jesutomi Aina, along with a representative from the travel company Ìrìn Travels — had reportedly travelled from Senegal to Cape Verde for a holiday when they ran into trouble with local immigration officers.
Upon arrival, Cape Verdean authorities accused them of entering the country illegally and questioned whether they had enough funds to support their stay.
According to Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the tourists were separated from other passengers, and their mobile phones were taken away before they were moved to an immigration deportation facility located at the airport.
“The attention of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has been drawn to a case involving six Nigerian tourists who travelled from Senegal to Cape Verde Island on vacation,” NiDCOM stated in an official press release.
A social media user, @tobiojenike, who brought the incident to public attention, confirmed the release of the tourists, writing, “Final update: They are free! They’ve passed through the Dakar border and are now in the care of the Nigerian embassy in Senegal.”
NiDCOM also noted that the group was in distress during detention, with one of them suffering from a medical condition and unable to access needed medication.
The commission reached out to Cape Verdean authorities, urging them to show “respect and dignity” in handling the matter. They also called for the immediate return of the group to Dakar, where they would then proceed back to Nigeria.
The case was formally taken up with the Consular and Migration Directorate of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had been expected to assist in resolving the issue. The released tourists, all between the ages of 25 and 31, are now safe and in contact with Nigerian officials as arrangements are being made for their return home.
