Four Nigerian nationals serving prison terms in Ethiopia have reportedly died while in custody, even as diplomatic efforts intensify between Abuja and Addis Ababa to facilitate the repatriation of Nigerian inmates under a proposed prisoner transfer agreement.
The deaths, which have sparked concern within diplomatic and consular circles, come at a sensitive moment when the Nigerian government is actively pursuing bilateral arrangements aimed at allowing convicted nationals abroad to complete their sentences in Nigerian correctional facilities.
Although details surrounding the identities of the deceased inmates, the circumstances of their deaths, and the exact timing remain unclear at press time, sources familiar with the matter say the Nigerian mission in Ethiopia has been engaging local authorities to obtain full clarification and access to relevant medical and custodial records.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also understood to be reviewing the status of Nigerian prisoners in Ethiopian detention facilities as part of broader consular protection efforts, particularly in countries where Nigerians are serving sentences for various offences.
Prison conditions in parts of the Ethiopian correctional system have in the past drawn scrutiny from human rights observers, though no direct link has yet been established between conditions of detention and the recent deaths.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s ongoing push for prisoner transfer agreements is part of a wider diplomatic framework designed to strengthen consular protection, reduce overcrowding in foreign prisons, and ensure that inmates serve sentences closer to their home country and families.
Officials say the proposed arrangement with Ethiopia is still under negotiation, with legal and diplomatic teams working through procedural requirements, including verification of convictions, sentencing equivalence, and security assessments.
As investigations continue, concerns are mounting among families of Nigerian inmates abroad, who are calling for faster implementation of international transfer agreements and improved monitoring of citizens incarcerated outside the country.
Neither the Nigerian government nor Ethiopian authorities have released an official detailed statement on the reported deaths as of the time of filing this report.