The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has welcomed the completion of the prisoner transfer agreement between Nigeria and Ethiopia, describing it as a humanitarian gesture that safeguards the dignity and rights of Nigerian citizens abroad.

Reacting to the development in a post on X on Monday, Obi commended the collaborative efforts of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, as well as Ethiopian authorities, for successfully concluding the process that facilitated the transfer of the affected inmates.

He said the arrangement reflects the responsibility of governments to protect the rights and dignity of their citizens regardless of where they are located.

While applauding the outcome of the negotiations, Obi expressed sadness over reports that at least four Nigerians died in custody before the transfer was completed.

According to him, the reported deaths underscore the human toll of prolonged diplomatic and administrative procedures, as well as the grief suffered by families who lost loved ones far from home.

The former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians to look beyond the immediate circumstances of the prisoner exchange and consider the factors that drove many of those involved to leave the country in the first place.

He noted that a significant number of the affected individuals were young Nigerians who travelled abroad in search of better opportunities, adding that the development should prompt deeper reflection on the country’s socio-economic realities.

Although he stressed the importance of respecting the laws of host countries, Obi questioned the conditions that continue to compel many young Nigerians to seek livelihoods outside the country under difficult circumstances.

Credit: channelstv.com