Update: June 25th, 2007: Account of an eye-witness

Lanre Obafemi:

I happened to be a witness to this macabre incident. Despite the death of one of them, the other two deportees onboard who were not tied up were still being manhandled when Iberia returned to Alicante (Spain) to offload the corpse. I remember one Nigerian passenger trying to stop me from getting down from the plane to protest the beating of the other deportees for no reason. Apparently, he just wanted to go home.

On getting o Nigeria, I poceeded to the Immigrations office to make the report. I was told to put it down in writing. It's noteworthy that no other passenger made the attempt despite screaming blue murder on the plane. Finally when I tried getting signatures on the report, most people declined and one passenger even shouted at me to leave him alone. I only got 3 signatures. The Nigerian Immigrations Service has also not done anything.

I got home that day and sent mails to as many Nigerian newspapers and TV stations with the names and phone numbers of myself and the other 3 persons who signed the petition. It's also noteworthy that none of these radio and TV stations called me and to the best of my knowledge neither did they call any of the other 3 persons. The stations that finally aired the news only echoed what the Spanish newspaper (El Pais) reported, which was that he was a criminal and died of a heart attack.

(Click to see full document)

Image of rope used on Osamuyi Aikpitanhi

Update: June 23rd, 2007

Pictures of Osamuyi's family - taken by Ahaoma Kanu

Kanu delivering the protest letter to parents

Members of the family: From L-R Osaigbokan Aikpitanhi; Mr Jacob Aikpitanhi (Father); Mrs Vero Aikpitanhi (Mother); A sympathizer; Mr Solomon Odia (Cousin); Mr Peter Odia (Cousin);sitting Mr Iziegbe Aikpitanhi (brother)

Mr Jacob Aikpitanhi (Father) and Mrs Vero Aikpitanhi (Mother)

Ahaoma Kanu with the parents

The home of the Aikpitanhi family

Mrs Vero Aikpitanhi (Mother)

Today (June 23rd), The Nigerian coordinator of the planned June 29th protest to Spanish embassies, Mr Ahaoma Kanu of National Daily Newspapers travelled from Lagos to Benin to meet with the parents of the young Nigerian killed by Spanish authorities in the process of deportation. Uche Nworah (a UK coordinator of same event) caught up with the parents and below is a recording of the ensuing conversation.

Other Update:

Letter of Protest was delivered to Nigerian Embassy in Spain yesterday. This is the message from the NVS coordinator in Barcelona Spain

 Mr FEEDBACK , MADRID SPAIN
The protest letter was successfully delievered yesterday, friday 22nd, [infact I am just arriving my home at 4 o'clock this saturday morning in Barcelona] at the Nigerian Embassy, Madrid, Spain around noon and was officially acknowledged by the secretary to the ambassador who apologised that the ambassador was unavoidably absent due to other official engagements.

Assurances were given that on-going efforts would prevent future occurences of this kind of sad event while we were commended and further enjoined to show continuous maturity in all our actions. I had two days earlier, precisely, on wednesday phoned the embassy to intimate them of our coming.

My personal details, contact address and phone numbers were taken down for correspondences on this matter , I will forward any correspondence so received. I met Nigerians on ground when I arrived at the embassy including Mr Adebowale.

I want it on record that the officials of Nigerian embassy in Madrid pleasantly surprised us with their warm reception and understanding of the issue at hand . Next friday is another day. No untold incident happened.

Robot  Villager

# 1 var sbtitle5892=encodeURIComponent(Towards Jun...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 23.06.2007 14:21

Mikky jaga  Villager

# 2 I didn't get beyond the introduction, What's up? Posted by Mikky jaga| 23.06.2007 14:41

WaleAkin  Villager

# 3 Listening to the deceased Mom's voice caused me great grief cos that could have been my own Mother's voice, its even more saddening to learn that the Father is on his sick bed. May God give the family the fortitude to bear the loss!! I want to suggest that we open a Fund account and send the money to the family as our own widow's mite to the upkeep of the deceased parent. Lets do this quickly pls!! Heavy Heart, Wale Posted by WaleAkin| 23.06.2007 15:21

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 4 Mr. Ahaoma Kanu we thank you for making this trip and for making it possible to hear the family of the directly. ... and the same gratitude goes to our very own Mr. Uche Nworah of NVS Just like our brother Mr. Wale Akin, I was deeply touched upon hearing the mournful voice and deep sorrow expressed by Mrs. Vero Aikpitanhi.... that could very well have been my mother as well. My heart bleeds. AND, I believe a fund raiser for the family of the late Osamuyiwa Aikpitanhi is an excellent idea. Posted by I Love Nigeria| 23.06.2007 15:49

Odinaka  Villager

# 5 Progress is what we are making. Thanks to all. Posted by Odinaka| 23.06.2007 16:26

Big-K  Villager

# 6 Thank God. Ahaoma has arrived safely back in Lagos. Hi Folks, I just want to let all of you know that I am back from seeing the family. I have listened to the interview and would send the story and the pictures tommorrow. I was able to convince the mother and his brothers to come to Lagos and join in the rally so that the whole world will see them. They informed me that they don't have a place to stay but I assured them we will make reservations for them. Let us put pressure to make the Spanish authorities invite the mother and his two brothers to Spain as investigation start. TAKE NOTE OF THIS. I will like to say that the situation I saw the family in is very very pathetic' the father has stroke and is kind of paralysed, he could barely hold the phone. Let us help in printing of the posters and other materials needed in this protest. Again, if you are out there and know people in the Nigerian Government, start calling them and let them know about this. For all those that called my MD, I say thank you. I promise that the Police permit will be gotten om monday. Thank you once again. Ahaoma Kanu National Daily Newspapers Lagos Nigeria Posted by Big-K| 23.06.2007 17:06

Firma  Villager

# 7 GREAT JOB! Justice is certain. Condolence message to the family Lets keep up this great job, lets keep on working... Posted by Firma| 23.06.2007 17:16

Exxcuzme  Villager

# 8 God bless the deceased family.:cry: Posted by Exxcuzme| 23.06.2007 20:43

busanga  Villager

# 9 Sad..very sad..am lost for words. The agony of a mother. If anything, the Nigerian authority must reject the body of the deceased and insist the Spanish authorities deliver the body directly to his family. Let us see how they handle that...- Posted by busanga| 23.06.2007 20:53

tatafo  Villager

# 10 Just finished listening to the interview. It just tore at one's heart over and over again. May God rest Osa's soul and help the family bear this tragic loss. This month is just one kind sef. :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: Aba boy nkem and Ahaoma, well done. You guys rock!!! Big-K, a true leader is not made, he is born. You were born a true leader, and there was a reason God put you were you are and helped you start this site... I suspect that the reasons include fighting for the betterment of mankind and this case is just the beginning. eku ise. Posted by tatafo| 23.06.2007 21:21

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