Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has revealed that four Nigerian inmates died at AbaSamuel Prison in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while several others are in critical condition, even as a bilateral prisoner transfer agreement has been concluded between Nigeria and Ethiopia.

In a statement posted on her X handle, @Ojukwu_Bianca, the minister said the deaths occurred within the period of negotiations and judicial processes leading to the agreement, which is designed to allow Nigerian inmates in Ethiopian custody to complete their sentences in Nigeria.

She wrote, “We have lost four Nigerian prisoners within the time frame it has taken for the negotiations, judicial vetting and the final conclusion of this agreement, adding that several others remain critically ill and require urgent medical care.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the deal as a humanitarian intervention anchored on “humanity, justice and cooperation between our two nations,” and said it reflects Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.

During a visit to AbaSamuel Prison in Addis Ababa, she delivered a message of reassurance to the inmates, telling them: “Your Country will not desert you, Your President knows you are here,” a statement she said was intended to restore hope among the incarcerated Nigerians.

She added that the atmosphere during the visit was marked by relief and optimism as inmates received news of the agreement.

“The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Our incarcerated nationals were ecstatic… pure unaltered joy at the prospects of returning to their homeland,” she said.

The minister also conveyed appreciation to the Ethiopian government for its cooperation in concluding the agreement, which she said aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its citizen diplomacy framework.

While urging Nigerians abroad to respect the laws of host countries, she stressed that the federal government would continue to ensure that citizens in legal distress are not abandoned but accorded their rights under international legal frameworks.

The prisoner transfer agreement is expected to enable eligible Nigerians in Ethiopian prisons to be repatriated to Nigeria to serve the remainder of their sentences, with officials indicating that urgent medical cases will be prioritised. (Nigerian Tribune)