SAN FRANCISCO, March 29, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has urged the Indian government to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for attacks on Nigerian students in India.
THEWILL recalls that four Nigerian students were recently attacked by a mob during a candle-light march for a teenager, who died of suspected drug overdose allegedly administered by a ‘black’.
Speaking at a meeting, in Abuja, on Wednesday with the Indian high commissioner to Nigeria, Nagabushana Reddy, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Olushola Enikanolaiye, said the call for the prosecution of culprits was necessary to serve as a deterrent to others and to forestall future occurrences.
He said that the high commissioner was invited to register the federal government’s concern and displeasure over the incident.
“It is therefore, a concern to us that Nigerian students in that place were harassed, beaten up and many of them were seriously injured,” he said.
“We think this should not have happened considering the excellent relationship between two of us — the two countries have things in common and have been great friends.”
“This is not the first time this would happen; Nigerians have suffered similar attack in the past; so, what we will like to see on this occasion is that the perpetrator should be arrested.
“And we want to see diligent prosecution so that it would serve as a deterrent to those who think they can take laws into their hands and harass students who are going about their studies.
“That is why we felt we should register our concern to you on this occasion, and to please ask your government to take effective measures that this does not occur again.”
