Tinubu Orders Urgent Return Of Nigerian Prisoners From Ethiopia

President Bola Tinubu has ordered urgent steps to return nearly 300 Nigerians serving prison terms in Ethiopia back to Nigeria to complete their sentences.

Naija News reports that the move follows growing concerns over the condition of Nigerian inmates held in Ethiopian prisons, particularly at Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa, where reports of poor treatment, overcrowding, illness and deaths have continued to raise alarm.

According to Punch, the President has sent a delegation to Ethiopia to begin discussions with the Ethiopian government. The team includes Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.

Their mission is to conclude and sign a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow Nigerian prisoners in Ethiopia to be transferred home. Once returned, the inmates would serve the remainder of their jail terms in Nigerian correctional centres.

The President gave the directive after receiving reports about the worsening situation of the prisoners.

The delegation reportedly left for Addis Ababa on Tuesday to speed up the process.

The effort represents the first direct intervention by Tinubu in a matter that has remained unresolved through diplomatic discussions for more than three years.

Records from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs show that over 270 Nigerians are serving prison terms in Ethiopia, with many convicted for drug-related offences.

Most of them are being held at Kaliti Prison, a facility that has faced repeated allegations of overcrowding, inadequate feeding, poor healthcare and harsh treatment of inmates.