South African’s alleged murder in Lagos : NGO lauds Nigeria Police’s swiftness in arresting suspect
Police
By Edwin Nwachukwu
Lagos, May 9, 2018 (NAN) An NGO, the Better Nigeria Movement (BNM), has lauded the Nigeria Police for swinging into action
promptly to arrest the suspected killer of a South African in Lagos.
BNM noted that unlike the South African Police who demonstrate slowness or apathy to arrest and prosecute suspected killers of
Nigerians in unrestrained wave of xenophobic attacks in the former apartheid enclave.
Renowned for its varied topography and natural beauty, South Africa ended racial separation in 1994 after a spirited decade-long
fight against the system sponsored by Nigeria.
Records show that no fewer than 118 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since February 2016 with the latest being a
carpenter, Clement Nwaowu from Anambra burnt to death with petrol in the presence of his South African wife about three
weeks ago.
Unofficial estimates put the number of Nigerians residing in South Africa at about 800,000 majority of whom are young people.
Mr Imohimi Edgal, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, confirmed that the command had a 26-year-old Nigerian girl in connection
with the alleged murder of her South African lover, Daniel Grant, on May 4.
The National Leader BNM, Mr Sambo Abduffatah, said in Lagos on Wednesday that prompt response of the police and the Ministry
of Justice was a “step in the right direction’’.
“We believe that this move by the Nigerian Government is a step in the right direction which should serve as a deterrent to anyone contemplating to harm a foreigner in the country,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Abduffatah said the group was impressed with the proactive measures initiated by the police, adding it will send a warning signal to
criminals.
“We wish to commend the Nigeria Police and the Ministry of Justice for the quick response to the alleged murder.
“We urge the South African Government to also respond timely to the unwarranted and extra-judicial killing of Nigerians living
in their country.
“There have been several incidents that led to the killings of Nigerians that have not been investigated.
“We advise that in the interest of justice and fair play such killings should be investigated and culprits brought to justice,” the
leader said.
Abduffatah urged the Nigerian Mission in South Africa to “seriously engage the South African Government to emulate the swift
response of the Nigerian Government on the alleged murder of a South African citizen.’’ (NAN)
ENN/DA
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(Editing by Dele Akinsola)