By Prosper Okoye
Civil society organisations (CSOs) have raised the alarm over alleged human rights violations against Nigerian migrants deported from Germany.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the groups, including the Civil Society Network on Migration and Development (CSOnetMADE) and the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse, and Labour (NACTAL), called for urgent government action to address flaws in deportation and reintegration processes.
Recounting a recent incident, Dr Emeka Obiezu, National Coordinator of CSOnetMADE, lamented the inhumane treatment of Mr. Bright Obasuyi, a Nigerian deportee.
“On 22 January 2025, a plane carrying deportees from Germany arrived in Lagos. Among the passengers was Bright Obasuyi, a Nigerian citizen with documented medical conditions, including schizophrenia and epilepsy,” he said.
Obiezu stated that despite being aware of Bright’s health condition, German authorities proceeded with his forceful deportation.
“Bright recounted that he was violently dragged from his home at midnight, brutally beaten, chained, and subjected to degrading treatment by German police, immigration officers, and other collaborating agencies,” he explained.
“Despite legal and medical interventions aimed at halting his deportation, Bright was forcibly administered medication, removed from his house, and deported in chains wrapped around his head like a helmet. He was also intermittently throttled to inflict pain and discomfort,” Dr Obiezu added.
He further criticised Nigerian authorities in Germany for failing to protect their citizens.
“Bright told us that the only time he saw Nigerian officials was when he was asked to provide his local government of origin certificate, birth certificate, and other documents in Munich, which were ultimately used to facilitate his deportation.
“Upon arrival in Nigeria, Bright was shackled. Before losing consciousness, he recounted seeing Nigeria Immigration Service officials taking videos and photos of him. He passed out shortly after and required immediate medical attention,” he posited.
The CSOs decried the continued suffering of Nigerians due to inhumane deportation practices, including loss of life, health complications, psychological trauma, the erosion of human dignity, and the disappearance of deportees without transparent investigations.
According to Mr Osita Osemene, NACTAL Secretary, Nigeria and Germany maintain a strong relationship, evidenced by various in-country activities carried out by GIZ.
Nigeria is collaborating with the European Union to develop a comprehensive agreement on return, reintegration, and readmission. At the same time, it maintains bilateral relationships with individual member states. Deportation is considered a last resort, only pursued after all options for regularising a migrant’s status—such as asylum or other legal processes—have been exhausted. If voluntary return is also declined, deportation may then be enforced.
The CSOs noted that Nigeria has established a framework for migration governance, demonstrating its commitment to safe and dignified migration. This is evident through Nigeria’s active participation in the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), its leadership role as the Chair of the Rabat Process, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) guiding return, readmission, and reintegration (RRR) activities.
They further demanded a thorough investigation, accountability for human rights violations, improved reception conditions, CSO involvement in pre-departure and post-arrival activities, diplomatic engagement, and a review of the Standard Operating Procedures on return, readmission, and reintegration.
