The Federal Government has insisted on disciplinary action be taken against the Indonesian immigration officials that assaulted a Nigerian diplomat with a threat to review its relationship with Indonesia if they are not brought to book.
This is as the Nigerian government has also summoned its ambassador to Indonesia to give a detailed account of the assault which has sparked outrage after a video of it went viral.
This was made known by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, while briefing the press on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, in Abuja, according to Channels TV.
Mr Onyema’s briefing is coming after the statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Monday condemning the assault.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the statement said the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria has apologised and that the immigration officials involved had also visited the Nigerian Embassy in Indonesia to apologise to the diplomat.
However, Mr Onyema told journalists in Abuja that the Federal Government wanted stronger action to be taken by the Indonesian Government, adding that the officials must be sanctioned. He said that Indonesia’s failure to do so will have consequences for the relationship between both countries.
The Federal Government said that the unfortunate incident is against international law and the Vienna Conventions governing Diplomatic and Consular Relations between states.
What you should know
- It can be recalled that a few days ago the world was shocked to see a viral video of an incident that showed at least three men identified as Indonesian immigration officials, assaulting a Nigerian diplomat and ignoring his screams of pain.
- While two of the men held his hands and pinned him down in the backseat, another freely assaulted his unprotected head as he cried out in pain.
- The Federal Government subsequently summoned the Ambassador of Indonesia to Nigeria, who explained what he understood happened and apologised unreservedly on behalf of the Government of Indonesia.
