Nigeria recalls ambassador to Indonesia over assault on diplomat

Geoffrey Onyeama Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs

Nigeria has recalled its ambassador to Indonesia following the assault on a Nigerian diplomatic agent in Jarkarta, Indonesia.

Minister of foreign affairs Geoffrey Onyeama announced this on Tuesday at a news conference in Abuja.

“There is no justification for the treatment to a diplomat and even to a Nigerian citizen.

“We are taking strong steps to defend the interests of Nigerians anywhere in the world,” he said.

Mr Onyeama spoke after the ministry got further briefing from the Nigerian ambassador on Monday evening.

The move comes after the Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria apologised over the incident.

Onyeama said the ambassador is being recalled for further consultations at the highest level.

He said this will include a review of Nigeria’s relations with Indonesia.

He said Nigeria has demanded severe sanctions against the Indonesian immigration officials responsible for the assault.

Earlier in a statement, the foreign affairs ministry said the Nigerian diplomatic agent was manhandled and arrested in front of his official quarters on August 7.