By Desire Emmanuel
Four Nigerian inmates have died while several others are currently critically ill at a prison in Ethiopia.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, announced this shocking discovery on her X handle on Saturday, June 13, after she visited AbaSamuel Prison, Adis Ababa, during her visit to Ethiopia.
According to her, the terrible conditions of many Nigerians in various prisons in the East African country has made the Nigerian government to sign what she described as “prisoners transfer agreement” with its government.
She acknowledged the fact that the critically ill Nigerians she saw at the AbaSamuel prison needed better care and proper medical assistance, adding that the Nigerian citizens in Ethiopian prisons would soon be brought back to the country to serve the remaining terms of their imprisonment.
According to her: “It was an exhilarating moment when I visited the AbaSamuel Prisons, Addis Ababa, to break the news to our boys that they will soon be returning home for service of the remainder of their prison terms.
“This is as a result of the Prisoner Transfer Agreement Nigeria has just signed with the Government of Ethiopia. Renewed Joy; Renewed Hope.
“We have already lost four of the inmates and several others are critically ill and need better care and medical assistance.
“This Prisoner Transfer Agreement with the Government of Ethiopia is a landmark. Under the Citizen Diplomacy imperative of the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to the welfare and protection of Nigerian citizens abroad.
“We will continue to work actively to ensure that our nationals abroad feel the full weight of their home government.”
