By Ochiaka Ugwu
The Federal Government has in strong terms condemned the manhandling and arrest of a Nigerian diplomat by Indonesian officials.
In a statement released after a press conference addressed on the issue by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama in Abuja Tuesday and signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Mrs. Esther Sunsuwa, it stated after studying the report of the Nigerian Ambassador, the Nigerian Government condemns in the strongest terms what is in effect an egregious act of international delinquency by Indonesian State actors against an accredited representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with absolutely no justification and against international law.
According to the statement, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received a comprehensive report from the Nigerian Ambassador in Indonesia on the manhandling and arrest of a Nigerian diplomat.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously summoned the Indonesian Ambassador to the Ministry to express outrage and to protest strongly.
“After studying the report of the Nigerian Ambassador, the Nigerian Government condemns in the strongest terms what is in effect an egregious act of international delinquency by Indonesian State actors against an accredited representative of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, with absolutely no justification and against international law.
“The Nigerian Government demands appropriate sanctions against the relevant officials and has recalled its Ambassador in Indonesia for consultations, including a review of bilateral relations.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms its resolve to protect the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians wherever they are in the world and calls for calm as consultations continue” the statement concluded.
