The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has welcomed the successful implementation of the prisoner transfer agreement between Nigeria and Ethiopia, describing it as a humanitarian move that protects the rights and dignity of Nigerian citizens abroad.
Obi made the remarks in a post shared on his X account on Monday, where he commended the efforts of the Federal Government and Ethiopian authorities in facilitating the transfer of Nigerian inmates serving prison terms in the East African country.
He specifically praised the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, as well as Ethiopian officials for their roles in concluding the arrangement.
According to Obi, the agreement reflects the responsibility of governments to safeguard the welfare and dignity of their citizens regardless of where they reside.
While applauding the development, the former Anambra State governor expressed sadness over reports that at least four Nigerians died in custody before the transfer process was completed.
He said the reported deaths highlight the human cost of prolonged diplomatic and administrative procedures, as well as the pain experienced by families who lost loved ones far from home.
Obi urged Nigerians to look beyond the prisoner transfer itself and reflect on the circumstances that pushed many of the affected individuals to leave the country in search of better opportunities.
He noted that many of those involved were young Nigerians who travelled abroad hoping to improve their lives, stressing that the situation should prompt deeper conversations about the country’s economic realities.
While emphasising the need for Nigerians abroad to obey the laws of their host countries, Obi questioned the conditions that continue to drive many young people to seek opportunities outside the country under difficult circumstances.
“While we commend this humanitarian intervention, it serves as a reminder of a larger systemic crisis. The overwhelming majority of these citizens are young Nigerians,” he said.
Obi argued that creating jobs, expanding access to quality education and building a system that rewards hard work are essential steps toward addressing the root causes of migration and reducing the risks associated with it.
He also called for proper rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for the returning inmates as they continue serving their sentences in Nigeria.
According to him, the prisoner transfer should not only be viewed as a humanitarian intervention but also as a reminder of the need to build a nation that values, protects and empowers its citizens.
The Federal Government recently announced the implementation of a prisoner transfer agreement with Ethiopia that will see more than 100 Nigerians serving jail terms in the country transferred to Nigeria.
