Nigeria summons Indian ambassador over student attacks
Indian police have so far arrested five in connection with mob attacks on Nigerians in a satellite city of New Delhi
Nigeria summoned the Indian ambassador to Abuja on Wednesday following violent mob attacks on Nigerian students in India, the country’s state news agency reported.
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.
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India 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.
READ MORE: Crowds attack Africans in India after teen’s death
A female Nigerian student was attacked on Wednesday, while another five Nigerian students were assaulted on Monday by a mob in a mall. A Kenyan woman was dragged out of a taxi and beaten by a mob in the satellite city on Wednesday, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported on Wednesday.
Police said they have arrested five people and booked more than 1,000 suspects in connection with the attacks. They also said several people involved in the incident had been identified from video clips of the attacks.
The country’s foreign affairs minister Sushma Swaraj 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.