Nigeria Raises Concern Over Detained Citizens In Saudi Arabia Unable To Pay Fines After Jail Terms

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Yakubu Gambo, has raised concerns over Nigerians who remain in prisons and detention centres in the Kingdom despite completing their jail terms due to inability to pay outstanding fines.

Gambo disclosed this on Thursday during a visit to the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement signed by NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations and Protocol Officer, Violet Nwosu.

Nwosu said the ambassador noted that the welfare of Nigerians abroad had remained a priority since he assumed office.

He added that the Nigerian Mission had directed all Nigerian associations in Saudi Arabia to unite under a single umbrella to improve coordination and enable the Embassy to engage the diaspora more effectively.

“The mission has directed the various Nigerian groups to organise themselves under one umbrella body to foster unity and enable the Embassy to engage meaningfully in addressing any diaspora issue,” Gambo said.

The ambassador, however, highlighted the difficulties confronting some Nigerians in the Kingdom, particularly those in detention.

“We are also confronted with challenges involving Nigerians in prisons and detention centres, including those who have completed their jail terms but are unable to return home because of outstanding fines,” he said.

Gambo also noted that contrary to perceptions that Nigerians in Saudi Arabia were predominantly associated with criminal cases, many Nigerians in the Kingdom have built successful careers and businesses.

According to him, Nigerian doctors, engineers, teachers, artisans, traders, and families who have lived in Saudi Arabia for decades continue to contribute positively to the country.

Also speaking, Nigeria’s Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam I.J. Nayaya, identified consular services as one of the major challenges facing the Nigerian Mission.

Nayaya disclosed that officials issue dozens of Emergency Travel Certificates daily to Nigerians in detention centres seeking to return to the country.

He commended NiDCOM for its interventions in resolving the case of Nigerian national, Suleiman Alufa, and other matters involving Nigerians in Saudi Arabia.

Responding, Dabiri-Erewa assured the delegation that NiDCOM would continue working with the Nigerian Mission to improve the welfare of Nigerians in the Kingdom and strengthen engagement with the diaspora.

She welcomed the move to unite Nigerian associations in Saudi Arabia, describing it as an important step toward improving communication and addressing challenges affecting Nigerians.

Dabiri-Erewa said the positive contributions of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia often receive less attention than cases involving crime.

“We only hear about the bad cases; we don’t hear about Nigerians excelling in Saudi Arabia. Now is the time to start celebrating them,” she said.

The NiDCOM Chairman urged Nigerians living in Saudi Arabia to register on the commission’s Diaspora Data Mapping Portal to help government improve planning and engagement with citizens abroad.

She also called for greater support for Nigerian diplomatic missions as they handle growing consular responsibilities.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the interests and welfare of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia while strengthening their contribution to Nigeria’s national development.