by Oke Efagene
A 35-year-old Nigerian, Simeon Obodo, who was killed in Gao, India, on October 30, has been buried in his hometown in Obogwe-Umunwaku community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government area of Imo.
This was disclosed to journalists today, by a representative of the family, Ejike Esinkoye.
Esinkoya, who said the funeral service of Obodo took place today at St Paul’s Catholic parish in Obogwe-Umunwaku, expressed his displeasure that the Federal Government did not send any official delegation to the burial.
According to Daily Independent report:
He also said that the family had yet to receive any compensation or assistance from the India government.
It would be recalled that the murder of the Nigerian during a violent clash in Goa village, India, sparked a diplomatic row between both countries.
Around 200 Nigerians in India protested Obodo’s murder by blocking a national highway and clashing with locals and police in the area.
Fifty-three of the protesting Nigerians were arrested and later released, after paying fees to secure their release.
On Dec. 16, Mr Abdulazeez Dankano, the Director, Consular and Immigration Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told NAN that the diplomatic rift between both countries caused by Obodo’s murder, was now “under control’’.
Dankano was part of a Federal Government delegation that visited New Delhi in early December to conclude negotiations on three agreements affecting the welfare of Nigerians in that country.
He said the Indian government had made some arrests in connection with Obodo’s murder but did not say whether the suspects had been charged.
Born on Nov. 1, 1977, Obodo attended Umunwaku Primary school in Ohaji/Egbema and Umunwaku Secondary School from 1992 to 1998.
According to a biography published by the family, Obodo worked and lived in Port Harcourt before travelling to Liberia in 2009.
Obodo, who left Nigeria for India on Jan. 9 before his unfortunate death on Nov. 30 few days to his 36th birthday, is survived by an aged mother, daughter and wife.
