Nigerian diplomat was offensive to lady SP: Parrikar

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Thursday accused a Nigerian diplomat of sending offensive text messages to a lady police officer following the violence after last week's murder of a Nigerian.

Parrikar also blamed the central government for the diplomatic fiasco involving Nigerian authorities who have threatened action against Indians in that country if the targeting of Nigerians in Goa didn't stop.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a press conference near the Dabolim international airport, the chief minister said: "He went to the extent of sending offensive SMS (messages) to our SP (superintendent of police)."

Superintendent of Police (North District) Priyanka Kashyap's failure to control a mob of Nigerians who had blocked a national highway for hours has been criticised in the media and by the civil society and opposition parties.

The Nigerians took to the streets following the murder of a compatriot, allegedly by a narcotics mafia.

Parrikar said the central government, especially the external affairs ministry, should have been the liaison between the Goa government and the Nigerian mission in New Delhi.

"Why did he (Nigerian diplomat) contact Goa directly? This is because the central government failed in its job to brief the Nigerian diplomats properly," Parrikar said.

In both instances, Parrikar was referring to Jacob Nwadadia, a consular attache who was in Goa to meet police and members of the Nigerian community following last week's violence.

A Surendra Pol has been arrested for the Nigerian's murder, which triggered a near riot-like situation involving police, locals as well as Nigerians.

A crackdown by the Goa government on foreigners, which has resulted in Nigerians being forcibly evicted from their homes, has drawn the ire of the Nigerian ambassador to India Ndubuisi Vitu Amaku.

"Nigerian people are offended that you are more concerned with the welfare of your own people. We are given the impression that the murder of a Nigerian individual is not important to you," Amaku has said.