Indonesian Immigration Assualt Nigerian Diplomat, FG Makes A Recall
The Federal Government of Nigeria has recalled her ambassador to […]
The Federal Government of Nigeria has recalled her ambassador to Indonesia over the physical assault meted out to him by Indonesian immigration police officers. Footage circulating on social media showed Abdulrahman Ibrahim, a consular officer based in Jakarta, being held down in a vehicle by several men.
Abdulrahman Ibrahim had reportedly been detained on a street in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta and assaulted by some uniformed men. In the 1 minute 30 seconds video which surfaced online, two men can be seen grabbing hold of Mr Ibrahim’s hands and a foot is pressed against one of his legs, while a third person can be seen pinning Mr Ibrahim’s face against the backseat of a car. The diplomat protested and yelled, “I can’t breathe” repeatedly and was later heard saying, “My neck, my neck.”
Reacting to the news at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama announced Nigeria’s decision to recall the diplomat for further consultations at the highest level. He said this would include a review of Nigeria’s relations with Indonesia.
Adding that Nigeria has demanded severe sanctions against the Indonesian immigration officials responsible for the brazen assault, Onyeama said there is no justification for the treatment of a diplomat and even a Nigerian citizen in such way. “There is no justification for the treatment to a diplomat and even to a Nigerian citizen. We are taking strong steps to defend the interests of Nigerians anywhere in the world”, he said.
The ministry had previously sent a letter of protest to the Indonesian government saying the mistreatment Mr Ibrahim endured was against international law and the Vienna Conventions governing diplomatic and consular relations between states, and demanded sanctions.
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