Nigeria condemns assault on diplomat by Indonesian immigration officials

By Olanrewaju Kola

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria on Tuesday condemned an assault on one of its diplomats in Indonesia by immigration officials.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital Abuja, Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama described the treatment of the consular officer by immigration officials in the capital Jakarta on Saturday as "totally unacceptable and unfortunate."

A viral video that made the rounds Tuesday in Nigeria shows one Indonesian immigration official pinning the diplomat down in a vehicle as the victim screams, calling for help, while two other men watch. Between his yelling in protest, he repeatedly says “I can’t breathe.”

Onyeama said such action violates international law and the Vienna Convention on diplomatic and consular relations between states.

He said the Nigerian government has complained to the authorities in Jakarta and the Indonesia ambassador to Nigeria about the issue.

The minister also announced the recall of the country’s ambassador to Indonesia. However, he disclosed that the Nigerian consulate in Jakarta was informed that the immigration officials subsequently apologized for their actions.

Scores of Nigerians have also taken to social media, condemning the incident as barbaric.

Nigeria and Indonesia have enjoined smooth diplomatic relations in the past.