TWO NIGERIANS EXECUTED IN CENTRAL JAVA FOR DRUGS

Two Nigerians convicted of drug smuggling were executed by firing squad at the end of international anti-narcotics day on Thursday (26/6). Samuel Okoye, 37, and Hansen Anthony Nwaolisa, 40, were arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in 2001, each carrying more than 3 kg of heroin. They were executed near the high-security prison on Nusakambangan Island, where they had been held since their conviction.

Nigeria's government expressed its regret over the deaths. "This was despite the passionate plea for a stay of execution and commutation of their death sentences," Nigeria's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Indonesia has defended the death penalty as a necessary deterrent in a country with a growing drugs problem. The last foreigners to be executed for drugs offenses were two Thai nationals in October 2004. Another 60 convicts are on death row after being convicted of drug-related crimes, said National Police Chief Gen. Sutanto (Trade & Investment News, 30/6/08)