A Nigerian man detained at a deportation camp in India, Ekene Vitus Chukwuma, has explained the circumstances surrounding his prolonged stay at the facility, disputing claims that he deliberately remained in the country after being issued an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) to return home.
Ekene, who is being held at the Lampur detention camp in Delhi, was arrested on December 15, 2025, over alleged visa overstay.
Speaking in response to an update on his case issued by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) on Wednesday, Ekene said he was first taken to a local police station before being transferred to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) the following day for screening.
He said the authorities found no other wrongdoing against him apart from overstaying his visa.
“I was taken to the FRRO to fingerprint and check if I have been involved in any illegal things in India, and they confirmed that I haven’t been involved in any illegal activities in India apart from overstaying my visa,” he said.
Ekene said he was subsequently transferred to the deportation camp, where he began efforts to obtain an ETC to facilitate his return to Nigeria.
He alleged that some persons claiming to be agents working with the FRRO demanded 35,000 Indian rupees before the document could be issued, saying he could not afford the payment and still have enough money for his flight.
“I have only my flight ticket then and if I pay such amount to get ETC, I cannot afford my flight,” he said.
According to him, detainees later staged a peaceful protest over the alleged demand, after which he continued pursuing the travel document.
Ekene said the Nigerian High Commission eventually issued him an ETC on May 16, 2026, about five months after his arrest.
He disputed NiDCOM’s claim that he had earlier received an ETC during an amnesty period but refused to use it, pointing to the date on the document.
“Check the date the Nigeria Embassy issued my ETC. You can see the evidence on the ETC. It was issued on 16th May 2026 while I was arrested on 15th December 2025,” he said.
He said the ETC was valid for three months but expired while he remained in detention.
Ekene also explained that his Nigerian passport had expired in 2020, saying he faced difficulties renewing it because he was living in Maharashtra while passport renewal was handled in New Delhi.
He said he travelled to the Nigerian Embassy in April 2025 to renew the passport but could not proceed after being informed that the renewal fee had increased to 16,500 Indian rupees.
“I have 12,000 rupees with me. I told them I thought it was 12,000 rupees and they told me it is an old price,” he said.
He said he later decided to rely on an ETC to return home and renew his passport in Nigeria.
“It is better to travel back with ETC and renew my passport in Nigeria than paying 275,000 naira here in India,” he said.
Ekene also disputed the claim that he had sent his wife and three children back to Nigeria during the amnesty period while he remained in India to do business.
“My family was already at home since the end of 2020,” he said.
He said he had also suffered business setbacks and financial difficulties before his detention.
Appealing to the Nigerian government, Ekene called for greater assistance for Nigerians held in deportation camps, saying those awaiting deportation needed support.
“They need your help and assistance, not to put blame on them,” he said.
Earlier, the commission had said Ekene told a consular officer of the Nigerian High Commission that he had successfully sent his wife and three children back to Nigeria but remained in India to do business despite lacking proper documentation.
It said his Nigerian passport had expired in 2020 and that he was issued an ETC during an amnesty period to enable him return home, but allegedly chose not to use it.
According to NiDCOM, Ekene was subsequently arrested and the ETC expired while he was in detention.
The commission explained that the FRRO handles deportation in India and that detainees are screened and cleared before they can be deported.
It said the Nigerian High Commission issues ETCs to Nigerians cleared for deportation after receiving requests from the Indian authorities.
NiDCOM also said it had received reports that some detainees were allegedly involved in the sale of illegal substances inside the deportation camp, adding that some detainees had petitioned the FRRO over the matter.
The commission said the Nigerian High Commission would continue to monitor Ekene’s situation and that of other Nigerians awaiting deportation.
It added that the Mission had requested another six-month amnesty for Nigerians residing and working illegally in India to enable them leave without paying penalties.
NiDCOM also reiterated its warning to Nigerians abroad to obey the laws of their host countries and avoid activities that could lead to arrest or deportation.