Nigerians are among the Africans being targeted in New Delhi after the death of a teenage boy from suspected drug overdose.
Police apprehended five Nigerian students after a group of local people went to their home and accused them of murder. They were later released after no evidence was found to connect them. “We are targeted because of our colour,” Jack told AFP news agency.
Now hundreds of residents of Greater Noida, a satellite city of New Delhi, went on a violent rampage on Monday, attacking Africans following the death of a teenage boy from a suspected drug overdose.
Nigeria summoned the Indian ambassador to Abuja on Wednesday following the arrests of five men. It seems Nigeria is not entirely satisfied with India’s handling and appears to want to assure Nigerians everywhere that they will pursue justice.
Police should ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the attacks, permanent secretary at the ministry of foreign affairs, Olushola Enikanolaiye, said after meeting Nagabushana Reddy – the Indian ambassador.
“This is not the first time this would happen, Nigerians have suffered similar attacks in the past,” Enikanolaiye was quoted by News Agency of Nigeria.
“So, what we will like to see on this occasion is that the perpetrator should be arrested. And we want to see diligent prosecution so that it would serve as a deterrent to those who think they can take laws into their hands and harass students who are going about their studies,” Enikanolaiye said.
Video clips are currently circulating Facebook which hasn’t already helped Indian police with five arrests and lined up a whopping 1000 interviews of those that may be connected.
The country’s foreign affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has also ordered an “impartial” inquiry into the attacks on Nigerian students, urging the newly appointed Uttar Pradesh state Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, to ensure the safety of Africans in Greater Noida.