The Federal Government on Tuesday, described the hanging of a Nigerian woman by Saudi Arabian government as pathetic, tragic and sad, even as it reveals that another 20 are on death row in that country.
Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry had issued a statement saying that two Pakistani men, a Yemeni man, and a Nigerian woman were executed on Monday for trafficking in drugs
The execution brings to 53 the number of people put to death this year, while the latest execution brings to 8, the number of Nigerians killed so far in that country
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, while condemning the killing of Nigerians by the Saudi government, however, warned Nigerians against involvement in drugs trafficking.
Dabiri-Erewa hinted that there are evidence to prove cases of airlines working hand-in hand with drug syndicates to put drugs in the bags of unsuspecting pilgrims.
According to her, “so we have had cases where truly they didn’t commit the offence. We have appealed to the Saudi Authorities to make the trials fair, open and ensure that justice is done. Even if you are going to die, you will know that you die for an offence you committed.
“In particular and this is a fact, Ethiopian Airlines and Egyptian airlines, there is always cases of when you get there you see something in your bag. So, it is now mandatory for these airlines and for all those traveling to ensure that you identify your bags before you board. That has helped. It is important that if you are going to Saudi Arabia with any of these airlines, you identify your bags. We have had cases where you just get to Saudi Arabia and somebody will knock on your door that something was found in your bag. It is mandatory for these airlines to screen these bags before you board the passengers.
“The case of Saudi Arabia is particularly worrisome because maybe, some of them did not commit the crime. One Nigerian was freed not too long ago because of the intervention of our mission in Jeddah which turned out that he actually did not carry the drug. The embassy fully intervened and he was freed. There is one that has a court case and the embassy is fully involved and hopefully he too will be freed.”
“So, while we appeal to Nigerians going to Saudi Arabia, we know it is tough, obey the laws of the land. Even kolanut is treated as a drug. So we will continue to appeal to the Saudi Authorities to treat some of the cases with some form of leniency. Like I said, we have 20 of them in Saudi, this is the eighth to be executed and we are hopeful that maybe we will be able to save the others. So, it is pathetic, it is tragic but we will continue to appeal to Nigerians to obey the laws of the land where you are. However, we expect the trial to be fair, open and ensure that justice truly is done because somebody is sentenced to death.”
The presidential aide also described as disgraceful the arrest of five Nigerians, for allegedly robbing a bureau de change in Sharjah of Dh2.3 million.
She described the actions of the men as a disgrace and an embarrassment to the country, themselves and their families.
She listed their names as Chimuanya Emmanuel Ozo, Benjamin Nwachukwu Ajah, Kingsley Ikenna Nwonka, Toochukwu Leonard Arise and Chile Micah Ndumodu.
“These five boys are a disgrace to this country and an embarrassment. So if UAE decide to be hard on Nigerians then we will complain that they are hard on us. But we will continue to say that one bad apple should not spoil the whole bunch. Nigerians are hardworking, intelligent so these few should not spoil the whole bunch because this has made news all over the UAE now.
“We are going to continue to name those who disgrace the country anywhere in the world and we will continue to appeal to Nigerians to be good ambassadors wherever they find themselves.”
On efforts being made to educate pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia following the connivance of some airlines with drugs syndicates, Dabiri-Erewa, said, “Since this law came into force where you ensure baggages are identified, it has reduced. The case I am talking about happened between 2016-2017. So it is important you identify your bags, take responsibility for your luggage. The Hajj Commission is also working with these airlines to ensure this is done because we do not want an innocent person to be jailed for an offence he or she did not commit.
Asked if the Nigerian government is going to write a letter of protests to the Saudi Arabia authorities, the presidential aide said, “we have been doing that. The Nigerian consulate in Saudi Arabia has been talking to Saudi Arabia authorities but I think we need to take it to a higher level now, I mean with 20 on death row, this is the eighth to be killed, we need to engage with the Saudi Arabia authorities more than we have done in the past. With 20 Nigerians on death row, we maybe able to save those who did not carry out the crime. We know that drug issues in Saudi Arabia carried death penalty but we will continue to ensure that we intervene properly on behalf of all our citizens to be sure that at least justice has been done.”
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
