Professor Bola Warns Malaysia To Stop The Attacks On Nigerians In It's Country

Prof. Bola Akinterinwa 

Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, a former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, has urged the Federal Government to initiate efforts to halt the continued attacks on Nigerians abroad.

He lamented that Nigerians abroad continued to be the target of attacks because they were not protected by the nation's foreign policy.

Pro. Akinterinwa spoke during an interview with the press on Saturday while reacting to the death of a Nigerian PhD student by name Thomas Orhions Ewansiha at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Malaysia.

The Immigration Department of Malaysia said on Friday that Ewansiha was arrested but died in their custody, a development which sparked outcry and a call for an investigation into the death.

Akinterinwa said, "Most importantly, the reason why Nigerians abroad are targeted for attacks is that the foreign policy of the government of Nigeria as of today is unnecessarily over-reactive. We react but we never protect, there is no initiative to protect Nigerians abroad.

"Many Nigerians have been targeted without committing any offence. While we have Nigerians who engage in criminal travels, most Nigerians are not in that category.

"Thanks to Abike Dabiri, who has been taking the matter more seriously, but the Foreign Ministry has not been talking about it. If they are doing so, then I will say silent or quiet diplomacy is not the best approach in this matter. I am not saying it should be gunboat diplomacy."

A Nigerian identified as Christopher, who reacted on the Internet, said Nigerians had become chickens in foreign lands. He wrote: "They simply take any at will for breakfast and nothing happens. This is a big shame to our government. This trend will continue until this sluggish giant wakes up from her perpetual slumber."

Another Nigerian under the name, Iyajelili said online that haters of Nigerians would say the deceased deserved it without thinking that such comment would further aid those attacking Nigerians abroad to continue.

He said: "Yet, these people will ask why the Nigerian government is not helping Nigerians in foreign prisons. No one is supporting crime or criminal act but the truth is that not all Nigerians inside and outside prisons are criminals."