By Victoria Ojeme

ABUJA — The Federal Government has said it held back from taking stringent action against Indonesia over the execution of two Nigerians for drug related offences because of the need to engage the country in order to secure the lives of 12 others on death row.

Two Nigerians; Messrs Solomon Chibuike Okafor and Daniels Enemuo were executed by firing squad for drug offences last Saturday, at the Island of Nusakambangu in Cilacap, Central Java Province.

Also executed with them were two women, one each from Indonesia and Vietnam, two Brazilians, and one Dutch national (The Netherlands)

The six were the first people executed under new President Joko Widodo of Indonesia and the execution came, despite pleas by Brazil and the Netherlands which eventually recalled their ambassadors from the country.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, said the action of the government was unconnected to the forthcoming general elections.

He explained that the Federal Government did not recall the ambassador in Indonesia because of the remaining 12 Nigerians still on death row.

“We have not gone as far as recalling our ambassadors there because we are looking at other factors; we still have 12 Nigerians on the death row. We need to remain engaged with the government of Indonesia. That is why, for instance, we have not looked at other options.