ABUJA, Nigeria – Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has confirmed that a Nigerian national detained during a Gaza-bound flotilla mission will soon be deported, describing the operation as a “publicity stunt” rather than a genuine humanitarian effort.
The Nigerian, identified as Okey Vitalis Nnorom, was among several activists arrested after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla attempting to breach the Gaza blockade.
Reports earlier indicated that some of the detainees had been released and deported to Turkey.
In an interview with ARISE News on Monday, October 13, 2025, Ambassador Freeman criticised the mission’s organisers, saying their actions were politically motivated.
“Regarding the Nigerian, the Nigerian will be deported soon,” Freeman said.
“He was part of this flotilla that was a publicity stunt that was not in any way a useful flotilla. These people were pretending they were bringing aid when the Pope himself intervened and said, please pass the aid to Israel and Israel will guarantee it goes into Gaza. They refused.”
Freeman maintained that the flotilla’s stated goal of delivering humanitarian supplies to Gaza was unfounded.
“They’re not interested in transferring any aid,” he continued.
“When the flotilla was intercepted and we went on the boats, there was virtually no aid on board whatsoever. This was all about a PR stunt. This was all about selfies. This was all about trying to demonise Israel and nothing to do with helping the Palestinians.”
The ambassador further noted that Israel continues to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza through verified and coordinated international channels.
“Today, hundreds of trucks of aid are making their way into Gaza in order to reach the Palestinian people and not some PR stunt by a group of people who’ve got nothing better to do,” Freeman said.
The Gaza flotilla, which drew global attention, is the latest in a series of activist-led attempts to sail towards the enclave in defiance of Israel’s blockade.
Israeli authorities have long argued that such efforts jeopardise legitimate humanitarian operations and heighten tensions in the region.
While human rights groups often frame these voyages as symbolic protests against Israel’s blockade, Israeli officials insist that the embargo is necessary for security reasons and that aid continues to reach civilians through approved routes.
Ambassador Freeman’s remarks underscore Israel’s position that the recent flotilla was intended more to generate headlines than to provide meaningful relief to Gazans.
