Serious Protest In Lagos Over The Execution Of Nigerians In Indonesia [See Photo]

The Indonesian government on April 29th 2015, executed another batch of 8 Prisoners convicted of drug charges (4 Nigerians inclusive), despite appeals by the U.N Chief and some foreign leaders, to spare them. In response to that, the Australian government has withdrawn its Ambassador from Indonesia in protest of the execution.

The information reaching the United Nigerians in Diaspora UNID is that another batch of executions will take place soon and there are still ten Nigerian citizens on death row in Indonesia prisons, 3 of whose names were on 29th April, 2015 forwarded to the Nigerian embassy in Jarkata as a notification of execution.

This brings us to the question, must it be capital punishment? Is capital punishment the only way the Indonesian government can contain drug trafficking in the country? Has capital punishment been able to quell the issue of drug trafficking in Indonesia? These are questions seeking for answers.

The President of United Nigeria in Diaspora (UNID) Dr. Paschal O. Okoli, commended the U.N Chief and some world leaders’ efforts to avert the capital punishment meted out to the drugs convicts, even though the whole efforts were to no avail, we feel very sad and disappointed that nothing was heard about our country Nigeria, whose four citizens were among those executed.

According to Dr. Okoli, in as much as we totally condemn drug trafficking and wish to sensitize intending traffickers on the consequences that awaits offenders, we expected our government to show concern just like other countries whose nationals were involved.

Whether they think that their effort wouldn’t make a difference, it is imperative that we as a people, show that we care of ourselves, in good as well as in bad times.

The way a good government treats its citizens, is a reflection of how the citizen will likely be treated wherever he or she goes to.

Therefore, we feel it is high time our government rose to the occasion to ameliorate the plights of its citizens no matter the circumstance.

Considering the fact of our government lukewarm attitude towards troubled citizens in diaspora, our Ambassador in Indonesia, muhammadu Suleiman had done little or nothing to help our citizens in Indonesia even in the face of death .

Dr. Okoli expressed shock that it is quite unbelievable to know that from trial to sentences, our embassy in Jarkata never in anyway protect or represent our citizens in Court, irrespective of the suspect inability to understand their language.

For instance, Wilson who was recently executed, died because he was in possession of flour used in making bread, Anderson Marin was executed for 50 grams of drug.

The bodies of the executed Nigerians were dumped at the killing site if not for the intervention of Agbaje Salami and Anderson Martin’s girl friends, that took their Corpses and buried in their home towns, it could have been another Indonesia dead monkey.

Even Okwudili Ayotenze was taken and buried by a Church group. Nwaolisa’s family was there to take his Corpse home. Australian foreign Minister, embassy and family present at the execution site took them home, likewise Brazilian government official and families sponsored by their government. WHERE IS NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT?

Indonesian government should consider the fact that they have killed enough Nigerians in their Prison. Their message has clearly received here in Nigeria.

Spare the lives of the remaining Nigerians based on the good relationship that exists between your country and our country.

This will heal enough broken hearted Nigerians and equally deter more Youths from committing the same act.

Furthermore, considering the next batch of execution that likely will take place in no distant time in Indonesia on those convicted of drug charges, we urge the good people of Nigeria and our government to rise up with the entire world to condemn the killing of drug convicts in Indonesia.

Enough of the killing! We believe there are numerous other ways drug convicts could be punished other than capital punishment.

We also wish to use this medium to appeal to the youth, to beware of the kind of friendship they keep as well as activities they engage themselves.

One of the reasons there are many young Nigerians in Prisons in different countries of the world today, is due to get rich quick syndrome, fast tract.

But in the end, they do not only lose everything but also lose their lives. Crime is not the only way to riches, genuine work is.

With hard work, prayer and perseverance, you can achieve your dreams; you can be anything you sincerely want to be, if you work towards it. It’s only but a matter of time. Say no to crime!

United Nigerians in Diaspora (UNID) is a Non-government Organization aimed at providing succor to the downtrodden, addressing the issues of the youth as well as collaborating with the government in addressing anomalies in the country.

The team of UNID is comprised of Nigerian professionals, home and abroad.