Six Nigerian tourists detained in Cape Verde, accused of human trafficking

Six Nigerian tourists have been detained by immigration authorities in Cape Verde under controversial circumstances.

The tourists have been identified as David James Udoh, Lily Dada, Oghenero Adaware, Sherifat Abimbola Ogundairo, and Jesutomi Aina.

On Wednesday, an X user, Tobi Ojenike, raised the alarm on social media, claiming her friends were being falsely accused of human trafficking.

Ojenike alleged that the Cape Verdean authorities were attempting to deport the group without due process, with the assistance of an unnamed individual.

“They’re framing them as human traffickers and denying them access to a lawyer and have them locked up. Please, who can I speak to? This is URGENT,” she wrote.

“They’ve been detained in a small room for days and attacked by policemen who have inflicted wounds on my friend. The ECOWAS is aware of this and are doing nothing!

“The Cape Verde government is trying to sneak them out of the country that they legally came into! And trying to pin them as human traffickers with the aid of a random stranger who’s seeking greener pastures and has been convinced to agree to it!

“Please help me. My friends need to get back home! They’re still he’d at the Sal Airport in Cape Verde and have been told not to resist the police.”