Outcry grows as Nigerians in India allege harassment, demand urgent government action.

Outcry grows as Nigerians in India allege harassment, demand urgent government action

Nigerians living in India are raising serious concerns over what they say is a troubling rise in racial profiling and harsh treatment by local law enforcement.

Many say the situation has been worsened by difficult visa renewal processes and steep fees, which they claim have made daily life increasingly stressful.

Speaking to some reporters, some residents alleged that Nigerian students have been assaulted, with little or no response after reporting such incidents to authorities.

The complaints come amid mounting pressure from student groups calling for swift diplomatic intervention.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) recently staged a peaceful protest at the Indian High Commission in Abuja, citing disturbing reports of inhumane treatment of Nigerians in India.

The group issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, urging immediate engagement with Indian authorities and warning of nationwide protests if nothing changes.

During the protest, NANS Vice President (Special Duties), Abubakar Mallawa, said the association had received multiple distress calls from students – especially in Mumbai – highlighting visa issues, discrimination, and what he described as systemic profiling.

He claimed Nigerians, including legitimate business owners, were facing visa renewal hurdles, arrests tied to immigration status, denial of housing based on nationality, closure of Nigerian-owned businesses, seizure of goods, and in some cases, forceful entry into homes and detention under degrading conditions.

Concerns were also raised about the visa application process, with claims that Nigerians pay processing and interview fees but are often denied visas without clear explanations.

In a separate interview, NANS National Secretary, Anzaku Shedrack, said the group had received disturbing video evidence showing Nigerians being brutalised in different parts of India, prompting calls for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

One of the clips reportedly showed a man believed to be Nigerian being attacked by a group of locals.

Abisola Williams, Education Coordinator of the Association of African Students in India (Rajasthan Chapter), described the situation as increasingly difficult for Nigerians, especially students dealing with visa regularisation.

She explained that international students in India must either remain on student visas or secure work permits, with Nigerians required to renew theirs annually.

Williams noted that visa extensions could be denied if students fail to meet certain academic or financial conditions.

Another Nigerian student in Delhi, who spoke anonymously, claimed Nigerians pay about 10,000 rupees (around ₦146,000) every three months for visa renewal, far higher than what students from other African countries reportedly pay.

She described the policy as unfair, alleging that Nigerians are given less time to renew their visas compared to others and are often unaware of the fees until they arrive in India.

She also claimed that police actively track Nigerians with expired visas, leading to arrests, harassment, and deportation.

According to estimates, over 50,000 Nigerians currently live in India.

Observers suggest the community may be under increased scrutiny due to rising arrests linked to drug-related offences. In 2024, Indian authorities arrested 660 foreigners for such crimes, with Nigerians accounting for 106, the second highest after Nepal.

Between 2019 and 2024, about 2,356 Nigerians were deported from India, with numbers rising sharply in recent years.

However, a Nigerian diplomat in India, who spoke anonymously, claimed that some Nigerians act as informants for local police, allegedly reporting fellow citizens in exchange for financial rewards.

He said such actions worsen the community’s image and called for Nigeria to adopt reciprocal visa policies for Indian nationals.

The diplomat also urged Nigerians abroad to obey local laws, noting that overstaying visas or engaging in illegal activities could have consequences.

Responding to the issue, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) said it had not received formal complaints about visa-related concerns and stressed that Nigeria cannot dictate another country’s immigration policies.

NIDCOM spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said diplomacy allows for limited action, mainly through reciprocal measures.

Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in Nigeria declined to comment, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official response.

Former Nigerian envoys have since called for calm and immediate diplomatic engagement.

Retired diplomat, Sola Abolurin urged the Federal Government to engage its ambassador in India and open discussions with Indian authorities to address the situation and ensure the safety of Nigerians.

Similarly, former ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, stressed the need for Nigeria’s High Commission in India to step in, while also reminding Nigerians abroad to respect the laws and culture of their host country.

He noted that while a few individuals may engage in wrongdoing, the majority of Nigerians are law-abiding and should not be judged unfairly.

Farounbi also pointed to possible factors like racial bias and economic competition, suggesting that Nigerians’ success abroad could sometimes trigger resentment.

He expressed confidence that with proper diplomatic efforts, the situation can be addressed.