Indonesia execution: Obey host nations’ laws, FG tells Nigerians abroad

The Federal Government has cautioned all Nigerians abroad against violating their host countries’ laws.

Information Minister Patricia Akwashiki, who addressed State House journalists yesterday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, was fielding questions on the government’s reaction to the recent execution of foreigners, including Nigerians, by Indonesian government over drug charges.

She said while the Nigerian government condemned the execution, it was unfortunate that any of Nigerian citizens “would have to be killed like that.”

Akwashiki, who noted that the Foreign Affairs Ministry had been on the issue before the execution, said: “It’s unfortunate that any of our citizens will have to be killed like that. We, like any other nation, do not agree with what Indonesia did. We also seize this opportunity to advise Nigerians travelling abroad that these countries make it clear when they issue visas, it’s there in red that the penalty for drug trafficking is death.

Besides, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday expressed federal government’s deep disappointment on the execution of four Nigerians.

According to a statement, the executions have taken place despite spirited pleas for clemency made at the highest level by President Jonathan and more recently Ambassador Aminu Bashir Wali, Minister of Foreign Affairs last week during the 10th Anniversary of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) Summit which took place in Indonesia, Jakarta.