1 held for Nigerian youth’s murder in Goa,MEA says ‘in diplomatic dialogue’

The victim,Abodo Uzama,was killed on October 30.

With the killing of a Nigerian youth at Parra village in North Goa threatening to escalate into a diplomatic row,the Goa Police claimed to have arrested the prime suspect late on Tuesday night.

The victim,Abodo Uzama,was killed on October 30. According to reports,around 20 men,with their faces covered,attacked some Nigerians outside a restaurant in Parra village. While Uzama escaped the first attack,he and another Nigerian,Obinna Paul Obi,were again targeted some time later,about a kilometre away from the restaurant. Uzama was reported to have been hacked to death.

Blaming police apathy,a huge group of Nigerians protested against the murder and blockaded National Highway 17 the next day. They are reported to have attacked some policemen also. The police later arrested 54 protesters 53 Nigerians and one Ghanaian. Barring one,none of the arrested were reportedly carrying their original passports as required by law. All were sent to judicial custody.

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In Delhi,the Nigerian High Commission stepped up the pressure. Nigerian people as a whole feel insulted and offended that you are more concerned with the welfare of your own people in Nigeria. I need evidence from you and from others that youre also concerned about the safety of Nigerians, Nigerian High Commissioner N V Amaku told some TV channels.

In a more measured response,Tokun Bo Falohun,Nigerian High Commission spokesperson,said,It is a very sensitive issue,a Nigerian national has been killed. Our High Commissioner was in the Ministry of External Affairs. The two sides are handling the situation,there is cordial relations between the two countries. Both countries are working hard to make sure their citizens are protected in each others countries.

The MEAs official spokesperson,Syed Akbaruddin,said,We are in diplomatic dialogue with them (Nigerian High Commission) since yesterday when the matter was brought to us. Asked if the incident would have any repercussion for Indians in Nigeria,Akbaruddin said,In our diplomatic dialogue we did not heard the words mentioned.

Meanwhile,North Goa Superintendent of Police Priyanka Kashyap said,We made the first arrest late on Tuesday night. Surendra Bharat Pol is the prime accused in the case. We have identified the remaining accused all are on the run. We are yet to establish the reason for the murder,but prima facie it seems that the incident is related to the drug trade.

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Under fire for not taking swift action against the Nigerians,Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that due to the strength of the Nigerians,they would have needed two policemen to handle each Nigerian.

The incident has led to public outcry and anger on both sides.

Most of the people in Goa feel we are only drug dealers. There is a lot of hostility. Many of my friends have either chosen to leave for Mumbai or are lying low in their houses, said Simeonne Obiekwe,a Nigerian staying in Calangute.

In Parra,the gram panchayat on Tuesday passed a resolution that it would not rent houses to people without legal documents,and also moved a proposal to cancel the licence of a restaurant frequented by Nigerians.

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Interestingly,the vehicle which is reported to have been used by the assailants belonged to a youth who was set to join the state police. The state government has now decided not to send him for training till the investigation is over.

With ENS,Delhi