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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), yesterday, demanded justice for a Nigerian student, Ikechukwu ‘Ikem’ Emmanuel, who was murdered in the Philippines.
Vice President, External Affairs of NANS, Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, in a statement yesterday, said the international community must condemn such a gruesome and inhumane act.
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Akinteye said NANS was deeply disturbed and appalled by the heinous and barbaric act that resulted in the tragic death of the Nigerian medical student, in the Philippines.
He warned that the relationship between the Philippines and China should not overshadow the pursuit of justice for Ikem, adding that failure to hold the perpetrators accountable would not be tolerated.
He said: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and the Nigerian student community who have been affected by this devastating loss.
‘’The brutal and senseless murder of Ikem, a promising Nigerian medical student pursuing his dreams in the Republic of the Philippines, is an unforgivable tragedy that has shaken our collective conscience.
‘’We unequivocally demand that the Philippines government take swift and decisive action to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. The culprits responsible for this senseless act of violence must be identified, apprehended, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
‘’We emphasise that the relationship between the Philippines and China should not overshadow the pursuit of justice for Ikem.
‘’Failure to hold the perpetrators accountable will not be tolerated. We firmly assert that if the Philippines government does not ensure that justice is served, we will not hesitate to escalate this issue to an international level, including mobilising a global protest at their embassy in Nigeria and beyond.’’
NANS implored the Philippine government to treat the matter with the utmost urgency and seriousness it deserves, saying: ‘’Justice must not only be served, but must be seen to be served, as failure to do so would not only be an egregious miscarriage of justice but would also be an affront to the principles of humanity and fairness that form the bedrock of any civilised society.”
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