Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, alleges that an overwhelming number of Nigerians were arrested while travelling through Addis Ababa’s international airport in search of greener pastures abroad.

Mr Obi stated this in a statement on Tuesday while hailing the successful completion of a prisoner exchange agreement between Nigeria and Ethiopia.

“While we commend this humanitarian intervention, it serves as a reminder of a larger systemic crisis. The overwhelming majority of these citizens are young Nigerians. A significant number were arrested while transiting through Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport in search of greener pastures,” the politician stated.

Nigeria and Ethiopia had signed an agreement to facilitate the transfer of prisoners between them, in line with their respective laws and international obligations.

Magnus Eze, special assistant on communication and new media in the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this in a statement days ago.

Mr Obi described the agreement as a refreshing humanitarian intervention.

“The news of the conclusion of the prisoners exchange between Nigeria and Ethiopia is refreshing,” the NDC chieftain added. “Every life is precious, and ensuring the constitutional right to human dignity for all Nigerians – regardless of where they are or the circumstances they find themselves in – must remain a cornerstone of our national foreign policy.”

The politician, who commended the efforts of Nigeria’s foreign affairs and justice ministers, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, attorney general Lateef Fagbemi, also lauded their Ethiopian counterparts for finally concluding the protracted negotiations.

The politician, however, condemned the death of at least four Nigerians who lost their lives in custody while the diplomatic and administrative process dragged on over the past few years.

He further decried the harsh circumstances forcing young Nigerians out of the country.

“While we must continuously urge our citizens to remain law-abiding and respect the laws of host nations wherever they travel or reside, we must also ask ourselves a hard question: What drives our young and productive population into desperate circumstances across the globe?” Mr Obi stated.

The NDC chieftain advocated genuine rehabilitation and societal reintegration for prisoners, stressing the need for a country characterised by genuine economic opportunities, a functional education system, and an environment where hard work is rewarded.