NiDCOM: Nigerian in India denies refusing ETC; claims he paid for certificate
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) reports that Ekene Chukwuma, a Nigerian, was arrested in Delhi last December for overstaying his visa after refusing to use an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) issued by the Nigerian High Commission during an amnesty period. NiDCOM states his passport expired in 2020, he sent his wife and three children back to Nigeria but remained in India for business, and chose not to use the ETC. However, Chukwuma denies this account, claiming he sent his family back before receiving any amnesty, was in detention for about six months when he got the ETC, and had to pay 35,000 rupees for it—alleging NiDCOM's report is false.
NiDCOM explains that the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in India must first clear detainees by Indian authorities before deportation, after which the Nigerian High Commission issues an ETC upon request. While several Nigerians have been cleared and deported, Chukwuma and others remain detained awaiting the process. The High Commission has requested another six-month amnesty for Nigerians residing or working illegally in India to leave without paying penalties.
This case underscores the risks of visa overstays and the importance of utilizing available amnesty periods. For Nigerians abroad, what preventive measures can be taken to avoid immigration complications, and how effective are diplomatic interventions in such situations?