A foreigner has been detained by immigration authorities in Tabanan, Bali, after overstaying his Indonesian visa for more than eight years.

The man, identified as Nigerian national Maduabuchi John Ndummadu, was apprehended after he allegedly fled into a nearby plantation when immigration officers asked him to show his passport.

Merry Yolanda Baransano, Head of the Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement Information Technology Sub-Section at the Tabanan Class III Non-TPI Immigration Office, said officers received a report from residents about the foreigner’s presence at Graha Kita Housing Complex in Bantas Village, East Selemadeg, on August 26.

When officers approached Ndummadu and asked him to show his passport, he instead ran towards a nearby plantation.

“Instead of taking his passport, the foreigner fled towards the residents’ plantation area,” Merry said in a statement on Tuesday, September 1.

Immigration officers, assisted by personnel from the East Selemadeg Police and local traditional village security officers, pursued him and eventually took him into custody.

Ndummadu was then brought to the Tabanan Immigration Office for further examination.

According to immigration authorities, Ndummadu was using a Visit Stay Permit under visa index 211, which was valid for 30 days.

However, his stay permit expired on February 28, 2018.

He had therefore remained in Indonesia for more than eight years after his permitted stay expired.

His passport also expired on March 30, 2022. Immigration authorities said he had not renewed his stay permit.

Merry said Ndummadu had violated Article 78 paragraph (3) of Indonesia’s Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011, which applies to foreigners who remain in Indonesia after their stay permits have expired.

Immigration authorities subsequently imposed administrative immigration measures in the form of deportation and a ban on re-entry to Indonesia.

Before his deportation, Ndummadu was transferred to the Denpasar Immigration Detention Centre for detention while immigration authorities processed his case and prepared for his deportation.

Eight Years in Indonesia

During his time in Indonesia, Ndummadu reportedly made a living as a freelance singer, performing at bars and cafes.

He also sang at churches, with the income from his performances helping him support himself in Indonesia, according to Merry.

Ndummadu had been living in Tabanan for around two months before he was detained.

Immigration authorities said he initially entered Indonesia through Jakarta before moving to several other locations, including Surabaya and Bali.

His case is now being handled through immigration procedures, with authorities preparing for his deportation to Nigeria.