RismadarVoice Reporters, June 16, 2026
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has praised the Federal Government for successfully concluding a prisoner exchange agreement with Ethiopia, describing the move as a significant humanitarian achievement.
In a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday, Obi commended the efforts of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Ethiopian authorities for bringing the long-running negotiations to a successful conclusion.
According to Obi, the agreement demonstrates the importance of safeguarding the rights, welfare and dignity of Nigerian citizens, irrespective of where they are located or the circumstances surrounding their detention.
While welcoming the development, the former presidential candidate expressed deep sorrow over reports that four Nigerian citizens died while in Ethiopian custody during the period of negotiations. He extended his condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased.
Obi noted that many of the affected Nigerians were young people who had been arrested while transiting through Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport in pursuit of opportunities abroad.
He urged Nigerians travelling overseas to respect and comply with the laws of their host countries, while also stressing that the circumstances surrounding the detainees highlight broader socio-economic challenges facing the country.
According to him, Nigeria must address the underlying factors pushing many young citizens to seek livelihoods outside its borders by creating more economic opportunities, improving educational standards, and fostering an environment where hard work and innovation are rewarded.
Obi also called for proper management of correctional facilities and rehabilitation programmes for prisoners transferred back to Nigeria under the exchange arrangement, emphasising the need for reintegration measures that would help them become productive members of society.
He further urged government authorities to view the prisoner swap as a reminder of the need to build a nation that protects, empowers and provides opportunities for its citizens, thereby reducing the desperation that often drives risky migration in search of a better future.
