In a kind of high-level, public show of disapproval, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the South African Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kenneth Pedro to explain the extra judicial killings of Nigerians resident in South Africa.
The Federal Government expressed its displeasure to the South African envoy, through the Under Secretary for Regions and International Organisations, Ambassador (Mrs.) Akabogu Chinwuba, which was contained in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Mrs Jane Adams in Abuja.
She noted that the act was more worrisome because the South African State Agents, the Police, were involved in the killings. She further informed Mr. Pedro that while the Government of Nigeria would not condone illegal or anti-social acts or criminalities, it behoves on the South African Government to ensure that every resident accused of any offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty through the judicial process.
She called on the government of South Africa as a matter of urgency, this time around; ensure that those who perpetrated the dastardly act should not only be brought to book but prosecuted. “The Police Officers responsible for the despicable acts should be brought to justice without delay,” Ambassador (Mrs. ) Akabogu Chinwuba noted.
It would be recalled that Mr. Ikeri, a Nigerian resident in, Kwazulu -Natal Province of South Africa was allegedly suffocated to death by the South African Police on mere allegation that he was involved in drug trafficking.
