No Nigerian was attacked

No Nigerian was attacked by TNC in Libya , says minister By Yusuf Alli 05/09/2011 :: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru yesterday said no Nigerian has been attacked or harassed by the forces loyal to the Transitional National Council (TNC) in Libya . Ashiru said although those attacked by some unscrupulous elements in Libya were Nigeriens and Malians, the Federal Government has asked the TNC to check violence against Black migrant workers. He said: “We have made necessary contacts and verification, no Nigerian has been harassed or attacked in Libya. “This development was confirmed by our former Ambassador to Libya. So, Nigerians in Libya are safe. “I can only add that we can confirm now from the contact made that those attacked were Nigeriens and Malians.” He however explained that the government was in touch with the TNC leaders on the need to protect Black migrant workers. He said: “The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to note with concern reports of incessant abuse of helpless civilians in Libya by some unscrupulous elements who continue to take undue advantage of the ongoing crisis in that country, particularly to carry out attacks on Black migrant workers and other Black Africans stranded in Libya arising from the crisis in that country. “Regrettably, these reports revealed outright killings, rape and extortion of money from these helpless Africans who have taken refuge in camps as well as those in detention and incarceration. “This development is a deviation from the overall expressed desire of the TNC, the African Union and indeed the United Nations for the restoration of democracy and good governance in Libya . “These extra-judicial killings certainly run contrary to Nigeria ’s call for the leadership of the TNC to be magnanimous in victory and can only stand in the way of peace building, early reconciliation and reconstruction in Libya . “While confirming that the concern of the Nigerian government on this reported development has accordingly been brought to the urgent attention of the representative of the TNC, the government seizes this opportunity to call on the leadership of the TNC to immediately take steps to check the excesses of these unscrupulous elements in Libya in order to pave the way for the restoration of genuine democracy and true reconciliation for all Libyans. “Nigeria reiterates its support not only for the yearnings for political freedom by the Libyan people , but also in the ability of the leadership of the TNC to restore order in the Libyan society at the shortest possible time. “Government believes that the immediate task for the enthronement of democracy, rule of law, political and socio-economic reconstruction and development in Libya should be carried out without hindrance.”