Tragedy In Ethiopian Prisons: Four Nigerian Inmates Die As FG Secures Landmark Transfer Deal To Bring Prisoners Home

Tragedy In Ethiopian Prisons: Four Nigerian Inmates Die As FG Secures Landmark Transfer Deal To Bring Prisoners Home

June 13, 2026

Four Nigerian prisoners have died in Ethiopian custody while several others remain critically ill, as the Nigerian Government moves to repatriate convicted citizens under a newly signed prisoner transfer agreement with Ethiopia.

The heartbreaking revelation was made by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during an official visit to the AbaSamuel Prison in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Sharing details of her visit, the minister described the emotional moment she informed Nigerian inmates that arrangements had been concluded for them to return home and serve the remainder of their prison sentences in Nigeria under a newly established bilateral agreement between both countries.

According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the announcement sparked scenes of excitement and renewed hope among the incarcerated Nigerians who have spent years away from their families and homeland.

“Dateline: AbaSamuel Prison, Ethiopia ... the exhilarating moment when I visited the AbaSamuel Prisons, Addis Ababa, to break the news to our boys that they will soon be returning home for service of the remainder of their prison terms as a result of the Prisoner Transfer Agreement Nigeria has just signed with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Renewed Joy; Renewed Hope,” she stated.

However, beneath the moment of celebration lies a grim reality. The minister disclosed that four Nigerian inmates had already lost their lives while serving prison terms in Ethiopia, while several others are currently battling severe health conditions and urgently require medical attention.

“We have already lost four of the inmates, and several others are critically ill and need better care and medical assistance,” she revealed.

The disclosure has once again drawn attention to the difficult conditions faced by some Nigerians imprisoned in foreign countries, particularly in facilities where access to healthcare, welfare support and regular consular assistance remains a challenge.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the prisoner transfer arrangement as a landmark diplomatic achievement and a significant step towards protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad.

Under the agreement, Nigerian nationals convicted and serving prison sentences in Ethiopia will be allowed to complete the remainder of their terms in correctional facilities within Nigeria.

The initiative is expected to provide inmates with improved access to healthcare services, rehabilitation programmes and, most importantly, regular contact with their families and support networks.

“This Prisoner Transfer Agreement with the Government of Ethiopia is a landmark,” the minister said.

She explained that the development aligns with the Federal Government’s Citizen Diplomacy policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises the protection and welfare of Nigerians regardless of where they reside.

“Under the Citizen Diplomacy imperative of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains committed to the welfare and protection of Nigerian citizens abroad,” she added.

The minister reassured Nigerians living outside the country that the government would continue to pursue policies aimed at safeguarding their interests and ensuring that they receive adequate support when faced with challenges overseas.

“We will continue to work actively to ensure that our nationals abroad feel the full weight of their home government,” she stated.

While the exact number of inmates eligible for transfer has not yet been disclosed, the agreement is widely viewed as a major relief for affected prisoners and their families who have long advocated for improved welfare and intervention from Nigerian authorities.

The development comes amid increasing concerns about the welfare of Nigerians incarcerated in foreign countries. Human rights advocates and diaspora groups have repeatedly raised alarms over reports of poor prison conditions, inadequate healthcare services and prolonged isolation faced by some Nigerian inmates overseas.

For many of the prisoners in Ethiopia, the transfer arrangement represents more than a legal or diplomatic process—it offers a chance to reconnect with family members, access better medical care and participate in rehabilitation programmes closer to home.

As preparations begin for the implementation of the agreement, many families are hopeful that their loved ones will soon return to Nigeria, bringing an end to years of separation and uncertainty.

The deaths of four Nigerians in Ethiopian custody have nevertheless cast a shadow over the development, highlighting the urgent need for stronger international cooperation and improved protection mechanisms for citizens serving prison sentences abroad.