By onyekachi eze
The Coordinating Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof (Mrs) Viola Onwuliri has assumed Nigerians especially Ohaji/Egbema people in Imo State, that adequate measures are being taken to ensure that justice and fairness is obtained over the murder of a Nigerian resident in India by some Indians.
It would be recalled that few months ago, a Nigerian named Obodo was killed by some Indian nationals in the city of Goar for undisclosed reasons. Some Nigerians resident in the Indian City where further molested and assaulted for protesting the dastard act of the Indians. Obodo is from Umunwaku autonomous in Ohaji/Egbema LGA.
Reacting on the issue, the Minister, Prof Onwuliri who was among the numerous award recipients of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Chapter, disclosed that the Foreign Affairs Ministry has taken up the challenge to ensure that the killers are brought to face the law.
According to her, “We are very much aware of the incident and have alerted Indian authorities especially the High Commission. The affected persons have not only being arrested but investigations are also on by appropriate Indian authorities to sanction the suspects”.
Speaking further on the issue, Prof Onwuliri noted that her Ministry also succeeded in ensuring that deportation and other uncomplimentary sanctions posed at Nigerians who protested against the killing have been relaxed by the Indian government adding that the Foreign Affairs department is re-addressing myriads of issues affecting Nigeria nationals residing outside the country in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Nigerians resident abroad especially those in India should not entertain fear over what happened. We are on the matter. We have discussed with their authorities who gave us assurances that resulted to relaxation of sanctions. I encourage our youths, especially Imo Youths to be law-abiding and desist from acts capable of disrupting peace and tranquility of the country.
“I had fruitful discussions with Ohaji/Egbema Youths who visited my Ministry in Abuja over this matter. I commend them for the matured way of handling the killing of their kinsman in India. We urge other respective countries to appreciate the kind gestures of our youths in this regard”.
