Kinsmen of the Nigerian who was slain in India on October 31, Mr Simeon Obodo, have given the Indian government a 48-hour ultimatum to bring his body home for burial.
The youths, from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, vowed that failure to do so might force them to carry out reprisal attacks on Indians living in their area.
The aggrieved youths spoke yesterday in Abuja at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to show their anger over the murder of their kinsman. They were led by Akumefula Iheanyichukwu and received by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri.
The youths called for the release of all Nigerians arrested on the death of Obodo.
They spoke under the aegis of the National Congress of Ohaji Youths (NACOY).
The youths said: “All Nigerians arrested and detained by Indian police, based on their demonstrations on this matter, should be released within 48 hours from now.
“The remains of our brother, Mr Simeon Obodo, should be brought back to Nigeria and given a befitting burial by the Indian government before the end of first week of December 2013.
“The Indian government should give answers to the following question within 48 hours: who takes care of his (Obodo’s) aged parent and dependants?
“The Indian government should give us advanced reasons why our brother should be killed without telling Nigeria the offence he committed.
“The Indian government should convince the people of Ohaji that Mr Obodo is not going to be next president of Nigeria.
“Honourable minister, we want to remind you once more that some Nigerians are being arrested and detained in India because of their demonstrations on this matter, while Indians in Ohaji, Imo State and Nigeria are moving freely. Please, we are demanding their immediate release.
“Ohaji youths are peaceful and responsible, notwithstanding that we are from the Niger Delta of Nigeria. But your response to this peaceful appeal will determine our fate. We are patiently and angrily waiting for your quick response to our demands.
“Our submissions are as follows:
· In as much as quick positive reactions are given to our demands, we will continue to be patiently waiting for the results and will remain so peaceful and responsible…”
The group noted that since the death of Obodo, “the youths of Ohaji have been in psychological pains and restlessness, filled with anger that their brother was killed and up till now the India government has not said anything tangible about his death”.
They added: “No efforts have been made to bring his body back to Nigeria for burial. The most annoying thing is that till this moment, over 50 Indians are still working with some of the oil companies in Ohaji without being harassed.”
Prof. Onwuliri assured the youths that the Federal Government was on top of the situation.
She said the government was taking serious steps to ensure that the issue was not swept under the carpet.
source: nigerianeye
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