Reps condemn execution of Nigerians in Indonesia‎

The House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs on Thursday decried the execution of two Nigerians by the authorities in Indonesia over alleged drug offences.

The Chairman of the committee, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, while condemning the executions, expressed concern that Indonesia ignored the pleas of the Federal Government and the National Assembly to spare the lives of the young Nigerians.‎

She noted that Indonesia cared less about the existing diplomatic relations between it and Nigeria by going ahead to‎ kill the Nigerians in spite of all the entreaties the latter made.

Dabiri-Erewa called for more proactive actions by the federal government to stop further execution of Nigerians in that country.

However, she did not specify the actions Nigeria should take against Indonesia.‎ ‎ “The executions took place against the backdrop of the excellent relations that subsist between Nigeria and Indonesia, and more Nigerians are still on death row in Indonesia and may also be executed if the federal government does not take a more proactive and decisive measure with the Indonesian government,” part of a statement she released in Abuja, read.

She also advised young Nigerians travelling to other countries to stay away from crime so that they do not run foul of the laws of those countries.

She stated that whenever there were allegations of wrongdoing against Nigerians in foreign lands, the federal government ought to move swiftly to protect them by ensuring that they were given fair hearing.

The lawmaker added,‎ “In spite of our so-called booming economy and high Gross Domestic Product, how can one explain why Nigerian youths are leaving the country in droves in search of job opportunities in other lands? ‎ “A lot of them are seeking hope in hopelessness.”‎