‎Nigeria Won’t Abandon You, Bianca Ojukwu Tells Inmates as Ethiopia Prisoner Transfer Deal Takes Effect ‎

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has assured Nigerian inmates serving prison terms in Ethiopia that the Federal Government remains committed to their welfare and will not abandon them.
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‎The Minister gave the assurance during a visit to Nigerian prisoners at the Aba Samuel Prison in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following the recent signing of a bilateral Prisoner Transfer Agreement between both countries.
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‎Addressing the inmates, Odumegwu-Ojukwu conveyed a message of hope and solidarity, stating: “Your country will not desert you. Your President knows you are here.”
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‎The agreement, signed by Nigeria and Ethiopia days earlier, provides a legal framework for the transfer of convicted Nigerian prisoners in Ethiopia back to Nigeria to serve the remainder of their sentences.
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‎Speaking during the visit, the Minister revealed that four Nigerian inmates died while negotiations, judicial reviews, and administrative processes leading to the agreement were ongoing.
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‎She described the prisoner transfer pact as a landmark humanitarian arrangement rooted in “the principles of humanity, justice and cooperation between our two nations.”
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‎On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Ethiopia for their cooperation and support throughout the process. She reiterated that the welfare, protection, and dignity of Nigerians abroad remain a priority of the Tinubu administration.
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‎The Minister emphasized that while Nigerians living overseas must respect the laws of their host countries, the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that citizens who encounter legal challenges abroad are not abandoned and are afforded their rights under applicable laws and international agreements.
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‎However, she cautioned against criminal conduct, stressing that the government’s intervention should not be interpreted as tolerance for unlawful behavior.
‎“This is not a license for impunity,” she said, warning Nigerians against engaging in criminal activities in pursuit of quick wealth.
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