I was disturbed reading in the newspapers recently about the killing of Nigerians and also some are still languishing in detention in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. This was revealed by a letter written to the Senate President by the concerned Nigerian businessmen whose commercial activities are linked with the Equatorial Guinea.
If the letter actually got to the Senate, one would like to know what Nigerian government has done about it. What diplomatic effort has the government put in finding out from that country’s government. Or does it mean that the Nigerian Government cares less about the lives of her citizens in Diaspora?
It will be recalled that the Government of Equatorial Guinea had some weeks back claimed in an alarm, of an attempt to overthrow it. It claimed that some Nigerian militants were involved. According to it, the gunmen that attacked the Presidential Palace that is located in Malabo were suspected to be from Nigeria. Even if this was to be true, could it not be possible that the criminals from Nigeria acted in connivance with internal forces and information. It will be recalled that former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s son was involved at one time with some South Africans to overthrow this same Equatorial Guinea government. He has since been sentenced for his involvement. But did that attract killings or detention, thereafter, of British or South Africans in that country? The answer is No!
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In Nigerian case, the Equatorial Government claimed that its forces rebuffed and killed some of the attackers and their boats sunk by the Navy. Thereafter there was unnecessary reprisal killing and detention of innocent businessmen of Nigerian extraction, in that country.
Nigerian government through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe had given information that they are solidly behind the Equatorial Government but doubted the involvement of genuine Nigerians in the recent episode. But should it be the reason the Equatorial government has taken its anger on other innocent Nigerians and the Nigerian federal government keeps quiet? The President swore the oath to defend Nigerian citizens.
Now many Nigerians who hitherto had their genuine business dealings have been chased and detained and some killed in sordid way by the Equatorial Government. It is only to this that one is showing concern and would like the federal government to come out with a statement to the effect.
Holmes Kenneth, 15 Zik Road, Umuahia, Abia State.
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