Return Corpses Of Our Executed Citizens—FG Begs Indonesia

The Federal Government has asked the Indonesian government to repatriate the corpses of the four Nigerians executed this week in the Asian country for drug-related offences.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night from the Public Communications Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, the Nigerian government condemned the execution of the Nigerians despite pleas for clemency by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“These executions have taken place despite spirited pleas for clemency made at the highest level by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and more recently Ambassador Aminu Wali, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on April 21, 2015, during the 10th Anniversary of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership Summit, which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia,” a part of the statement read.

The FG described the execution as a disappointment and warned Nigerians “to desist from drug trafficking and other offences that attract maximum punishment in several countries of the world.”

The Nigerian government noted that it “will continue to promote the welfare and protect the lives of Nigerians abroad, no matter their circumstances.”

“Furthermore, government is committed to engaging the government of Indonesia and other friendly countries regarding the conclusion of Prisoner Transfer Agreements and other bilateral means of safeguarding the interest and welfare of Nigerians,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the FG expressed “its condolences to the families of the deceased”, asking the “Indonesian Government for the repatriation of the remains of the executed persons, so that they can be accorded decent burial in their various communities.”

The statement gave the identities of the executed Nigerians as Jaminu Abashin, Martin Anderson, Okwudili Oyatanze and Sylvester Obiekwe.

They, along with other nationals, including an Indonesian, were executed by firing squad in the Nusakambangan Island on Tuesday evening.