JOIN USTwo Indians have been brutally murdered and another seriously wounded by unidentified assailants in Nigeria. Strongly condemned the killings, India Thursday sought an official report from the Nigerian authorities and a probe into the gruesome incident.
The attackers brutally murdered Shanker Saha and Bokul Chander Mondal, both 35, and seriously wounded Biresh Yadav Wednesday after an unprovoked armed attack on the premises of M/s Adebar Trades and Industries Ltd in Maiduguri (Borno State), Nigeria. The 43-year-old Yadav is currently battling for his life at the Maiduguri University Teaching Hospital. The attackers also took away some money before leaving.
The Indian high commission has expressed shock and contacted the concerned Nigerian authorities to seek an official report on this gruesome incident, the Indian mission in Nigerian capital Abuja said.
"The high commission has also sought a thorough investigation by the concerned Nigerian authorities to establish the precise motive of this heinous crime and the perpetrators brought to book," it said.
Expressing its sincere condolences to the families of the slain, the high commission expressed solidarity with the management of the company and other Indians residing in the area.
The attack has upset and surprised New Delhi as over 30,000 Indians have been living peacefully in Nigeria, Africa's top oil producer, and contributed significantly to Nigeria's socio-economic development.
"Specifically, the three Indians victims named above were working with a concern engaged since 2007 in processing and export of gum arabic, gainfully employing up to 100 Nigerian nationals," said the Indian high commission.
"Regardless of their motives, such wanton attacks on innocent Indians do not serve the cause of peace and socio-economic development as well as the friendly ties between the peoples of Nigeria and India," it said.