Reps lament killing of Nigerian in Poland

By Innocent Anaba & Tordue Salem
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has lamented the killing of another Nigerian in Poland

Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement she signed on behalf of the committee on Tuesday, expressed deep regrets over the death of the unnamed Nigerian, who was shot dead by the Polish police in a market stampede on Sunday, 23 March 2010.

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since summoned Mr. Przemyslaw Niesiolowski, the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria over the killing.

“This is another pathetic treatment. We need a wholistic look at these incessant cases. The last time it was in Switzerland. The ambassador apologised, and that was the end of it,” she said.

The Diaspora Committee Chairman maintained that though the ministry has summoned the Polish Ambassador, “we will see what next. We must, as a nation, demand better treatment. We demand full justice in this matter.”

According to her, “The committee reiterates its appeals to Nigerians living abroad to continue to be good ambassadors of the country and not indulge in any criminal activities capable of tarnishing the good image of the country and their family in other lands,’’ she said.

Relatedly, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has condemned the crackdown on Nigerians living in Poland, leading to the death of one and arrest of 32 others.

NHRC, in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Communications Department, Mr. Nasir Ladan, said: “we condemn in strong terms the brutal murder of the Nigerian and the continued harassment of other Nigerians in Poland.

“The action of the Polish security operatives suggests excessive use of force against defenceless foreign nationals. We consider such actions to be inhuman, degrading and contrary to the norms of international law.

Acording to the statement, “the commission’s Executive Secretary, Roland Ewubare, commends and applauds the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, and the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Martin Uhuomoibhi, for their quick and robust intervention and we are elated by the renewed vibrancy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the present leadership.”

The Commission called on the Ministry to urgently extract a commitment on the part of the Polish Government to guarantee the safety and fundamental human rights of Nigerians domiciled in Poland under the principle of reciprocity.

“We fully identify and support the request by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an urgent and full inquiry into the brutal murder and harassment of Nigerians in Poland. We also call for adequate compensation to the victims of the police brutality,” the statement added.

Poland has commenced autopsy on the body of a 36 year-old Nigerian identified by witnesses as Maxwel Itoyan who died from a bullet wound after a fight broke out between African market traders and police in Warsaw at the weekend.

Twenty five detainees will also be charged with assault against police officers following the fight between a police officer and Nigerian, which resulted in the policeman's gun going off and killing the man. The accused face between one and ten years imprisonment if found guilty.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs had in a statement issued by its spokesman, Mr. Ozo Nwobu, condemned the killing and called for probe even as the country's ambassador was summoned for consultation.

The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa urged the ministry to ensure that Poland does a thorough investigation.

She called on Nigerians who live in Poland to come with vital information that would lead to the unraveling of circumstances surrounding the murder.

On Monday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi met the Charge d'affaires of the Polish embassy to express the displeasure of the government over the shooting including the arrest of thirty Nigerians resident in Poland.

The Polish official conveyed the condolence of the Polish government over the tragic incidence which she described as unfortunate.

She disclosed that authourities in his country were already investigating the matter and assured that the details and outcomes of the investigation would be communicated to Nigeria.

However, an online blogger who claimed he was at the scene of the shooting said that contrary to what has been said and published by the police, Itoyan, was brutally murdered by a trigger hungry police for telling a police to stop brutalising a handcuffed Nigerian.

He said that the slain Mazwell requested that the brutalized person should be taken to the station if indeed he committed an offense.

"And the police response was Maxwel should move away else he will be shot and shot the police did." The unidentified blogger said.

Reports yesterday also said a man has made an official complaint against the police, accusing them of brutality.

The fight occurred around 10.00 CET yesterday near the construction site of the National Stadium on the east bank of the river in Warsaw.