Nigeria summons Indian envoy over attacks on African students; govt assures impartial probe into attack

Abuja/New Delhi: Nigeria on Thursday summoned the Indian envoy in Abuja to express displeasure over the attacks on Nigerian students in India and voiced concern that the incident was not the first of its kind, the country's Foreign Office said.

On the other hand,  External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today assured the Rajya Sabha that there will be an impartial probe into the alleged brutal attack on African students in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh.

Replying to concerns raised by some Opposition members during the Zero Hour, Swaraj said the incident was "unfortunate" and the Centre has sought a report from the state government.

"Both incidents are unfortunate. Firstly, 19 year-old boy died and thereafter there was an attack on a Nigerian student. On behalf of Uttar Pradesh CM and myself, I want to assure that there will impartial probe," she said, as per PTI.

The Minister said the state administration was taking steps to maintain law and order and the Nigerian student is being treated in a hospital.

"As long as investigation is not complete, it is not proper to say anything more," she added.

Meanwhile, Sola Enikanolaiye, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria, summoned Indian High Commissioner Nagabushana Reddy, on Wednesday in Abuja.

"I have just finished a meeting with the Indian High Commissioner where I expressed Nigeria's displeasure with the attacks on Nigerians," Enikanolaiye tweeted.

He said the Indian High Commissioner "informed of concrete steps taken" by the Indian government to address the incident and also promised justice.

Enikanolaiye said that the Indian High Commissioner was invited to register the Nigerian government's concern over the incident. "It is therefore, a concern to us that Nigerian students in that place were harassed, beaten up and many of them were seriously injured," he said. 

"We think this should not have happened considering the excellent relationship between two of us — the two countries have things in common and have been great friends," as per IANS.

The attacks on Nigerian student took place on Monday night in Greater Noida, some 40 km from the Indian capital, following protests over the death of a Class 12 student of a residential colony there due to drug overdose. Some people who were holding a candle-light vigil for the student attacked the Nigerians suspecting them of drug running.

Five people were arrested for the attacks.

(With Agency inputs)