Press "Enter" to skip to content

Foreign Ministry to investigate why there was no representative from Nigeria during the burial of 26 Nigerian girls who drown in Italy

The 26 teenage girls found dead in the Mediterranean Sea have been buried in Italy, but no Nigerian official was present, sparking reactions from citizens.

The girls who were reported to have died from drowning according to results from the autopsy carried out in Salerno, Northern Italy, suffered no recent trace of physical or sexual violence.

Further results revealed that two of the dead girls were pregnant and another one suffered a wound in her liver.

The funeral procession saw a Roman Catholic Bishop and an Imam praying for the deceased who were placed in wooden coffins and a single white rose was placed on each lid.

A reporter from Associated Press, Trisha Thomas, who was at the event wrote in a tweet, that she did not see any official or representatives from Nigeria, which prompted reactions from Nigerians.


It is sad there was no representative of the Nigerian Government at the burial of 26 Nigerian girls. It is important we also look at another issue Do Nigerians risk their life’s on these deadly journeys fully aware of what the outcome may turn out to be?

A.J.O‏ @Ayo_Oshiobugie

26 Nigerians buried in Italy No Govt Rep at Funeral No Name No action We must learn to value our own

MURTALA @Murtalalbin

Buhari commensurates with Iranians and Iraqis over earthquake. 26 Nigerians buried in Italy, Italy declares day of mourning. No official representative of Nigeria was present. The full gist is still out there.

KO @deut_

 

It’s ITALIAN prosecutors that are investigating the deaths of 26 Nigerian women whose bodies were found at sea. Nigerians where are you?!

Atinuke Oyinbo @AtinukeOyinbo

Aguntan ti o b’aja rin… That’s the story of @abikedabiri. A literate serving an illiterate @MBuhari will loose her head. 26 Nigerians buries in Italy without any representation from us. Too bad.

Vincent Arogbodo Esq‏ @ArogbodoVincent 

The govt of Italy has accorded those 26 dead Nigerians more respect than Nigeria ever did even in their lifetime.

Jason B Femi-Ema‏ @ femiTRIP

These are the caskets of 26 young Nigerians who perished in the Mediterranean awaiting burial in distant Italy .Horrors of illegal migration. Certainly their families are waiting for them to send back dollars. The streets Palermo were never paved with gold.@Omojuwa

Arinze Orakwue‏ @nwaorakwue 

Responding to the reporter’s tweet, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Matter and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the issue would be thoroughly investigated.

“(on the deaths) There was immediate response from my office and later from the MFA spokesman. At the next FEC meeting, it was taken up at the highest level to come up with drastic solution, holistic recommendations,” she tweeted.

“I will expect an embassy official to be there. Hopefully, they were informed of time and venue.

“It will be judiciously handled by @GeoffreyOnyeama MFA. The MFA investigating the claims. Hon Min @GeoffreyOnyeama has asked that it should be looked into.

“All points noted. A high powered body set up to look into this issue and report to FEC in a week.

“I hope the mission in Italy was duly informed of time, date and venue. If true, this has to be looked into. FEC, as the highest decision-making body, is taking this up cos of its utmost seriousness. Two different matters here.

“The report will be submitted by the AGF next Wednesday. We need drastic measures indeed.”

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), recent report, revealed that an estimation of 80 percent of Nigerian girls arriving in Italy by Sea might be for Human Trafficking.

It further stated that 2,925 people lose their lives from January 1 to November 5 while trying to cross the Sea.

Facebook Comments
ETN24 - Explaining the News is about putting News in the correct context to promote understanding and education. We believe News should educate, not agitate. Our dedication is to fighting Fake and Sensational News, as well as to keep an eye on the media to ensure our peace and sanity are not sold for traffic.