The Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Senator Aniekan Bassey, has issued a strong condemnation over the continued detention of a Nigerian national, Okey Vitalis Nnorom, who participated in the Omar Al-Mokhtar Flotilla—a humanitarian mission organized to deliver aid to Gaza.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Senator Bassey described the incident as “a gross violation of international humanitarian law and an affront to the global conscience.” He said the continued detention of Nnorom and other activists who joined the peaceful flotilla mission was not only unlawful but also morally indefensible.
The Senator emphasized that Nigeria, as a sovereign nation, will not stand idly by while its citizens are subjected to injustice, humiliation, and inhuman treatment in foreign custody. He called on the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Jordan, to take immediate and forceful diplomatic steps to secure Nnorom’s release and ensure his safety.
“The Nigerian government must act with speed, strength, and resolve,” Senator Bassey declared. “Our citizen’s continued detention is both unjust and provocative. The international community must understand that Nigeria values its citizens, and we will not allow their rights to be trampled upon in silence.”
He further described the actions of the Israeli occupation authorities as a deliberate assault on humanitarian values and the principles of peaceful activism. According to him, the manipulation of information about the detainees and the misinformation of legal representatives constitute a breach of trust and a deliberate attempt to conceal human rights abuses.
Senator Bassey urged international human rights organizations, foreign embassies, and global advocacy groups to unite in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all detained activists. He stressed that the flotilla was a purely humanitarian mission aimed at breaking the illegal blockade on Gaza and delivering essential supplies to the Palestinian people — an act that should never be criminalized.
He reiterated that Nigeria’s image as a defender of justice, peace, and global cooperation is tied to how it protects its citizens abroad. “Our commitment to human rights is not selective. Wherever a Nigerian stands for justice and peace, the Nigerian Senate stands with him,” he affirmed.
The Senator also assured that his Committee will continue to liaise with relevant agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and global partners to ensure that Nnorom and other detainees regain their freedom.
He concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s solidarity with all peace-loving nations and humanitarian actors across the world, declaring that “the voice of truth and justice will never be silenced, no matter how oppressive the circumstances.”
