Etsetowaghan, who serves as Chief Party for the USAID-funded Accelerating Control of the HIV Epidemic in Nigeria (ACE) C4 Project, was detained at the airport for carrying a laser pointer in his hand luggage. Switzerland banned laser pointers in June 2019 to prevent injuries and hazardous use.
NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, highlighted the need for travelers to be aware of such regulations to avoid similar issues. “Many immigrants might be unaware of this regulation,” she said, urging Nigerian travelers to exercise caution.
Etsetowaghan, who was part of an official delegation, described his harrowing experience on May 25, 2024. “I was detained for three hours, had my belongings and documents seized, and was subjected to interrogation and solitary confinement,” he recounted. “I was forced to sign documents in French, which I did not understand.”
Reacting to the incident, NiDCOM emphasized the need for better communication about prohibited items at Swiss airports and called on the Swiss authorities to enhance their notification systems to prevent such incidents in the future.
