Headline
Nigerians languish In Prisons As Ethiopia Stalls Repatriation MoU
Dozens of Nigerians remain behind bars in Ethiopia as efforts to repatriate them stall, following delays in finalising a crucial Memorandum of Understanding between both countries.
The agreement, which would allow convicted Nigerians to serve the remainder of their sentences at home, has yet to be ratified by the Ethiopian government despite repeated diplomatic engagements and mounting pressure from civil society groups.
Speaking on the matter on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the delay was not from the Nigerian side.
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“The ministry has fulfilled its own side of the formalities for the Transfer of Sentenced Persons MoU.
It is the Ethiopian side that is stalling,” she said through her media aide, Magnus Eze.
The ministry disclosed in 2023 that more than 270 Nigerians were serving various prison terms in Ethiopia, mostly for drug-related offences.
Families and advocacy groups have continued to raise alarm over the poor conditions in detention centres.
President-General of the My Dreamalive Development Foundation, Ambassador Onwuka Collins, condemned the situation last week, describing conditions in the prisons as “deplorable.”
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“It is sad that some Nigerians in Ethiopian prisons have already died due to these harsh conditions, while others are suffering from illnesses, including kidney stones and stroke. We cannot continue to watch helplessly as our brothers languish in prison without a fair trial. We, therefore, need urgent help,” Collins said.
He further alleged reports of abuse, citing “inadequate food which is often self-made, inadequate medical care and negligence, brutal treatment, as well as extortion by prison officials.”
Despite a Federal High Court ruling in November 2024 ordering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to facilitate the return of Nigerians imprisoned in Ethiopia, progress remains stalled.
The court had also noted Ethiopia’s admission that it lacked the budget to care for foreign inmates.
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Renewed pressure was mounted on April 17, 2025, when Odumegwu-Ojukwu led a delegation to meet the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Legesse Geremew Haile, urging Ethiopia to expedite the MoU.
“Our people don’t want to hear that another Nigerian inmate died in Ethiopian prison,” the minister said, expressing frustration over what she called a lack of political will from Ethiopia despite earlier assurances.
Ambassador Haile, while reaffirming Ethiopia’s ties with Nigeria, admitted the MoU was still awaiting ratification by the country’s House of Representatives.
The prolonged delay has already claimed lives. On March 12, 2023, Favour Eze, held at Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa, reportedly died after being brutalised by prison officials.
Another inmate, Uchenna Nwanneneme, died on September 21, 2023, from tuberculosis after allegedly receiving little to no medical attention.
Headline
How Our Airstrikes Stopped Christmas Attacks In Nigeria — US Lawmaker
Riley Moore, a member of the United States House of Representatives from West Virginia’s 2nd District, has linked the absence of Christmas attacks in Nigeria this year to US military airstrikes carried out against Islamist militants on Christmas Day.
In a post on his official X account on Saturday, Moore contrasted the situation with the past two Christmas seasons, during which he claimed Christians were killed in attacks across parts of Nigeria.
The lawmaker noted that this year’s response targeted extremist groups instead of marking another period of violence.
READ ALSO:Rep Moore Confirms 12 Tomahawk Missiles Launched In Sokoto
He added that US forces acted decisively against militants in coordination with the Nigerian government.
“For the past two Christmases, Christians have been murdered in Nigeria. This year, thanks to @POTUS, Radical Islamic Terrorists were on the receiving end of 12 Tomahawk missiles as a present.
“The successful strikes on ISIS, in coordination with the Nigerian government, are just the first step to secure the country and end the slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Moore wrote.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that American forces had conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in north-western Nigeria.
Trump, who spoke via his Truth Social platform, warned that more attacks would follow if the militants continued killing Christians, adding that the Department of War executed numerous “perfect strikes.”
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U.S. Lawmaker Reacts To Nigeria, U.S. Airstrikes
United States Congressman, Riley Moore, has stated that President Donald Trump is determined to put an end to the killing of Christians in Nigeria, warning that further action may follow if the violence persists.
Moore made the statement on Friday via his official X handle.
According to the lawmaker, the strike represents the first step in addressing what he described as the ongoing slaughter of Christians and the broader security crisis affecting Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines.
READ ALSO:US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria
“President Trump has been clear that the killing of Christians in Nigeria must end,” he said.
He that the administration’s resolve on the matter should not be underestimated.
“As I stated at the outset: Do not test President Trump‘s resolved in this matter.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria
“Tonight’s strike in coordination with the Nigerian government is just the first step to ending the slaughter of Christians and the security crisis affecting all Nigerians,” he said.
He stressed that the operation signals a stronger stance by the United States in support of Nigeria’s efforts to tackle terrorism and violent extremism, noting that further measures could be taken if the situation does not improve.
Headline
US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria
A video footage of the US military air strikes in Nigeria has emerged.
The video was released by the US Department of War following its air strikes against terrorists in Sokoto.
Earlier, the US secretary of War, Pete Hegseth had confirmed that military air strikes hit terrorists in Nigerians, saying it was deadly.
Later on, the US. African Command, confirmed that it conducted the attacks described as very deadly by President Donald Trump.
Trump said he was only keeping the promise he made earlier last month to strike the terrorists he believes are killing innocent Christians.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria
Although described as powerful and deadly, the casualty caused by the attack is yet to be released.
Explaining further, security expert, Brant Philip, said the strikes may have been launched “from the USS Paul Ignatius, using a Tomahawk missile.”
The Nigerian government through its ministry of foreign affairs has also confirmed that the strikes were successful.
Watch video here
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