Sierra Leonean refugees protest alleged killing of colleagues
By Odita Sunday
SIERRA Leonean refugees in Nigeria have protested the alleged killing of three of their citizens in Lagos within three years.
In a statement containing allegations made available to The Guardian, they said: "It is very unfortunate, pathetic and painful to experience untimely death especially when one is fighting in pains to resist stronger opponents".
The statement added: "The incident occurred about two years ago when a Sierra Leonean refugee, Cecilia Baugura, was beheaded and her headless body found in Falomo. She was buried without a head, this was a woman who ran away from her country because of war and came to seek refugee in Nigeria. A Nigerian took her from the camp to work in Lagos. To date, the employer cannot be found".
The statement continued: "Secondly, in July 2004, another refugee, Madam Emma Campbell, who worked in Ikoyi, Lagos was poisoned to death because she confronted her employer".
It further alleged: "She was taken to the Military Hospital, Apapa, after about 12 hours' battle for life alone in the office where she resided as both a caretaker and worker.
The statement said: "Her intestines had to be operated upon since the chemical used had already destroyed them".
She was said to have died in the Apapa hospital.
According to statement: "The issue died naturally since refugees can not pursue any matter".
They added that another recent incident was the alleged murder of another 30-year-old refugee at the Ogun State camp.
The victim, Peter Jones, was allegedly killed on October 5, 2004.
"It was gathered that a musical production which he had been the owner was made. Dubious people tried to swindle him and an argument ensued between them, which later led to his murder".
The statement added that arrests were made but later the suspects were released.
Reacting to the allegations, the Lagos State Police spokesman, Mr. Emmanuel Ighodalo, a Superintendent of Police said: "There were no reports of these matters like were alleged".
Ighodalo urged the aggrieved refugees to report the incidents formally to the nearest police stations where they occurred so that the investigations would begin.
