More Nigerians condemn killings of 2 drug offenders in Indonesia

AS more Nigerians condemn the execution of two Nigerian in Indonesia for drug offences, some lawyers and human rights activists on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction with it, saying it called for concern.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls the Nigerians were on Jan. 17, executed in Indonesia, over alleged drug trafficking, while 12 more are reported to be on death row.

The Federal Government had registered its disapproval over the killing and appealed to the Indonesian authorities to exercise clemency for other 12 Nigerians on the death row in that country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs had on Sunday in Abuja summoned the Indonesian Ambassador to register Nigeria’s protest over the execution of the two Nigerians by firing squad.

The Nigerians executed in spite of appeals by the Federal Government are Solomon Okafor (Alias Namaona Denils) and Daniels Enemuo (Alias Diarrassoube Mamadou).

A Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, described the situation as unfortunate.

He attributed the situation to the level of unemployment of the youth which he argued had led to frustration and the desire by these individuals to take a short cut to success.

Adegboruwa urged government, to tender a plea for mercy to the Indonesia government on behalf of others on death row so that they could serve their sentences in Nigeria.

The execution is a demonstration of a significance of the decline in moral and family values which has left the youths seeking for a short cut to success.

The execution of these Nigerians, should send warning signals to other citizens, and discourage them from embarking on a suicide mission in the name of making money.

Our government can only appeal to the Indonesia authorities for mercy on behalf of those on death row so that they can come back home and serve their sentences,’’ he said.

Adegboruwa urged Nigerian citizens to embrace God, adding that there was no short cut to success besides hard work.

He also urged government to ensure it provided employment for youths so as to engage them in active work.

Another Lagos-based lawyer and civil rights activist, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, also condemned the execution, adding that the world had far advanced beyond the death penalty for drug offences.

He urged the government to show its disapproval for such execution and call the Indonesian authorities to order.

The execution of those Nigerians is too extreme to say the least.

The world has advanced beyond handing down death penalty for offences such as drug trafficking; I think the Nigerian government should show its disapproval for such sentence,’’ he said

Ataene also urged citizens to shun crime and ensure they preserved the image of their country.

In the same vein, another lawyer, Mr Emenike Nnoromele, also described the situation as a painful development.

He condemned the execution and urged the government to intervene on behalf of the remaining convicts who are placed on death row.

It is so painful to hear that Nigerian citizens are been executed for criminal offences perpetrated in other countries.

The situation calls for caution on the part of other citizens who migrate outside the country to shun crime and seek to protect the country’s image,’’ he said

He urged the government to assist in sensitising the youth on the dangers of vices and the need to shun them. (NAN)