Nigerian inmates at AbaSamuel Prison in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, have welcomed with enthusiasm the newly signed Prisoner Transfer Agreement between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
The pact, secured by the Federal Government through the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, enables qualified Nigerian prisoners serving jail terms in Ethiopia to return home and complete their sentences in Nigeria.
The development was met with celebration among the inmates, as it opens the door for their eventual transfer to Nigeria, where they can serve the remainder of their custodial terms closer to their families and support networks.
Expressing appreciation for the initiative, the prisoners commended President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government for demonstrating concern for the well-being of Nigerians living abroad.
Commenting on the development in a post on X on Saturday, Ojukwu said the inmates were filled with joy and optimism, describing the mood among them as one of renewed hope.
“The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Our incarcerated nationals were ecstatic! Happiness Renewed; Hope Renewed,” she wrote.
She added that the prisoners expressed joy at the prospect of returning to Nigeria to serve the remainder of their sentences following the landmark agreement signed between the governments of Nigeria and Ethiopia.
“Pure unaltered joy at the prospects of returning to their homeland for conclusion of custodial terms, courtesy of the landmark Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons we have just signed with the Government of Ethiopia,” she stated.
Ojukwu further stressed that the welfare of Nigerians living abroad remains a key priority of the current administration.
“The welfare of our citizens abroad, regardless of where they may be, is of paramount importance under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she added.
The agreement is expected to facilitate the transfer of convicted persons between both countries, enabling them to serve their sentences closer to their families and support networks.
