700 Nigerians In Thai Prisons, Others Dead

[webfact]

700 Nigerians in Thai prisons, others dead

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Calabar—Bishop Frank Owali of the World Overseer of Hebron-Harvest International Ministry, with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, has raised alarm over alleged hostile treatment and harassment of Nigerians by the authorities of Thailand.

The cleric, who fled the country, alleged that at the time of his departure no fewer than 700 Nigerians have been arrested and clamped into detention in various towns in and around Bangkok. He said there were no effort by officials of Nigerian Embassy in the country to wade in the matter.

Owali said following insecurity, unprovoked harassment, sustained assault, arrest and extortion of money from Nigerians by Thai security officials, several Nigerians had decided to go underground.

He said: The whereabouts of about five Nigerians pastors, including the clerics in charge of The Throne of Grace Church, New Life International Ministry, and of one of my pastors are unknown.” He alleged that they were among those penciled down by the Thai police for arrest or extra-judicially execution.

Bishop Owali said that the Thailand legal system was so draconian that it did not give room for suspects to defend themselves, as many Nigerians were said to have been in prison custody for several years without appearing in court for trial.

SOS to Jonathan

He appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Nigerian Minister for Foreign Affairs to intervene in the matter to stop further unlawful killing and incarceration of Nigerians in Thailand, stressing that several Nigerian business enterprises and churches had been shut down by the Thai police.

Lamenting their plights, he regretted that since the arrival of the Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand in Bangkok, Mr. Umaru Sulaiman, the envoy had never visited Nigerians imprisoned without trial. He said the Nigerian community in Bangkok was rebuffed by the envoy when they asked him to appeal to Thai authorities to allow one Mr. Obi Peter, who was arrested and detained on trump up charges, to have access to medical care, as the inmate’s health going bad.

Mr. Peter, said to be a former President of the Nigerian Community in Thailand, reportedly died in prison custody due to lack of medical treatment, and a peaceful protest by Nigerians at the embassy led to the arrest and detention of some of them.

The death of Mr. Peter, Mr. Obi Parker, Mr. Henry Ogbimi and other Nigerians in prison custody was said to be the cause of the peaceful protest. He said they were accused by the Nigerians embassy of breaching the peace of Thailand, leading to the arrest and detention of many of them.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/10/700-nigerians-in-thai-prisons-others-dead/

-- vanguardngr.com 2011-10-05

[djvolak]

I hope they release them all soon so I can get that money the all have for me. I was wondering why I had not been getting as many emails lately.

[tragickingdom]

The Thai judicial system is not only rotten for Nigerians, it is also rotten for any other foreigner and poor Thai people. They all find themselves in the same position, even capital punishments are given without due representation. Nigerians are however everywhere held in huge numbers not only in Thailand.

[jacknorman]

Let them all rot in hell less drugs on the streets Nigerian business enterprises and churches Ha Ha Ha drugs and printing office for nigerian letters

peaceful protest. He said they were accused by the Nigerians embassy of breaching the peace of Thailand, leading to the arrest and detention of many of them The police only found more of them without a proper visa

[Gers1873]

OMG I am shocked Nigerian drug dealers this is unbelievable.

Next we will be getting told that all of these Nigerian philanthropers who have been offering to send me (and many others) millions of dollars from defunct bank accounts are fake -- surely not??

[SICHONSTEVE]

I hope they release them all soon so I can get that money the all have for me. I was wondering why I had not been getting as many emails lately.

"Owali said following insecurity, unprovoked harassment, sustained assault, arrest and extortion of money from Nigerians by Thai security officials, several Nigerians had decided to go underground".

I'm sure that there must be something wrong in the apparent detention of some of these Nigerians but there's no getting away from it - they ARE the undoubted kings of telephone/internet scams with some of them being THE SCUM OF THE EARTH and had it coming to them .

[geriatrickid]

A "Bishop" that fled Thailand. Right. What seminary did he attend? Our Fair Lady of the Scam?

I am willing to wager my left nut this chap is one of the Pentecostal holy rollers with a focus that I don't think is really Christian. Sorry, but I don't believe him.

[geovalin]

The Thai judicial system is not only rotten for Nigerians, it is also rotten for any other foreigner and poor Thai people. They all find themselves in the same position, even capital punishments are given without due representation. Nigerians are however everywhere held in huge numbers not only in Thailand.

Excellent post.

I could not tell better.

The point with Nigerian drug traffickers (I know that the Nigerian criminals are only a SMALL part of the Nigerian nationals) is that they are handsome and attractive. We (I work in Thai prisons) have a lot of young girls (Thai, Burmese, Cambodian) who are in jail because they became criminal for the love of a strong Nigerian.

Well, the good part is that if the girl did not make anything wrong, she's still outside and visits her Nigerian BF every week, faithfully.

[MaxYakov]

I hope they release them all soon so I can get that money the all have for me. I was wondering why I had not been getting as many emails lately.

Or, better yet, here do we send the money to spring them so they can send us all that money?

[Mario2008]

Some posts deleted. Lets stay on topic, not consider every Nigerian a drugs dealer, etc, etc, etc.

[thai4me]

As much as I do not like saying this, most Nigerians visiting countries in Asia are not here for the tourism or other bona fide reasons. Crime ranks highly in their list.

[rubik101]

post #3 has the missing quote, since deleted.

Reading the whole article does sound exactly like those e-mail scams from Nigeria, right down to the fact that one of them pleads sickness and needs urgent help.

I am guessing that most of them are in prison for a reason. The fact that the Thai system might not be the finest model of a fair judicial system probably means these guys were doing something very stupid and very obvious. Walked around Patts or Phutz lately? There's more than 700 of them on the streets there, I'm guessing.

[spermwhale]

...................

I see that this is your first post...........but I hope that future posts will add somewhat more to the substance of the discussion .

Another thing, if this is edited then exactly what did it consist of in the first place????

He was probably afraid he'd offend someone or get off topic. A very fast learner!

Yes he's quick to become a ThaiVisa drone.

Back on topic: I hope this means there will be more sweeps, particularly on Soi 3 so I don't have to be hit up with "HEY BRO" by these Nigerian drug dealers loitering like they're gang bangers in south central Los Angeles. I've seen these schmucks open selling drugs on the street. I'm sure if immigration goes down there they'll find everyone of them has overstayed. It needs to be cleaned up along with their nasty prostitutes that are plying the area.

[orosee]

Nigerian churches do have bombastic names!

[softgeorge]

Let me guess the two main offences, 1. Drugs & 2. Scams

[carvets]

I stayed in Sukhumvit soi 3 earlier this year and i was surprised at how many of them there were. Its difficult to see them and not wonder if any of them had sent any of the hundreds of Nigerian 419 scam emails that i get . Im so sick of their bullshizen. Its another case of an extremely bad few ruining the reputations of those who are decent people. Its hard to hear the term Nigerian and not associate it immediately with "criminal".

Edited October 5, 2011 by carvets

[skippybangkok]

scammers getting scammed -good luck.

[Rick1]

I understand your overly PC approach to editing when 'we' make defamatory comments about out host nation/als

But do you need to hug trees over these obviously dubious individuals from outside Thailand.

A spade is a spade.

I got 3 emails this month. I'm gonna be RICH!!!! LOL.

they ARE scammers.

Some posts deleted. Lets stay on topic, not consider every Nigerian a drugs dealer, etc, etc, etc.

[robokop]

The Thai judicial system is not only rotten for Nigerians, it is also rotten for any other foreigner and poor Thai people. They all find themselves in the same position, even capital punishments are given without due representation. Nigerians are however everywhere held in huge numbers not only in Thailand.

I see this is a one sided story with some forming their opinion without hearing from the Thai Government.

Be interesting to see an impartial side of the story, from another source.

[ginjag]

As much as I do not like saying this, most Nigerians visiting countries in Asia are not here for the tourism or other bona fide reasons. Crime ranks highly in their list.

Not bashing the Country of Nigeria, but the types that generally come here, are not here for the culture, or the scenery, Family resorts, beach---yes how many do you see "holidaying--relaxing on the beach, living in rural areas, they don't come here for the climate, nor are the percentage here ex-pat-Nigerian=retired.

It's narrowing down to mainly WHAT ???? difficult to guess eh!!!

[jesmoove]

Everyone should be allowed a trial, lets not prosecute people without knowing or understanding the truth...just makes us all look racist and narrow minded. Oh and dont put your real name with your picture on a forum unless you are willing to stand up to your comments in public (if by chance you are rude and negative towards people). Remember we are civil people act like it.

[sirchai]

The Thai judicial system is not only rotten for Nigerians, it is also rotten for any other foreigner and poor Thai people. They all find themselves in the same position, even capital punishments are given without due representation. Nigerians are however everywhere held in huge numbers not only in Thailand.

Excellent post.

I could not tell better.

The point with Nigerian drug traffickers (I know that the Nigerian criminals are only a SMALL part of the Nigerian nationals) is that they are handsome and attractive. We (I work in Thai prisons) have a lot of young girls (Thai, Burmese, Cambodian) who are in jail because they became criminal for the love of a strong Nigerian.

Well, the good part is that if the girl did not make anything wrong, she's still outside and visits her Nigerian BF every week, faithfully.

Please do not send this as an e-mail to all TV members. No more tears on heaven for TV members.

[LBD1]

Looks like a scam

Sounds like a scam

Smells like a scam

What the hell, lets give him the benefit of doubt and send him all the bail money :jap:

[maxman71]

Cry me a river. Justice is served. Nigerians, far more than most other nationalities, commit a disproportionate number of drug and fraud crimes relative to other nationalities. I have travelled and worked heavily in various SE Asian locales over the last 9 or so years and local police have informed me that Nigerians confirm this. I can't think of a better "vacation destination" for a drug dealing, scam perpetrating Nigerian, than a Thai prison.

[siampolee]

geriatrickid

Post # 10

A "Bishop" that fled Thailand. Right. What seminary did he attend? Our Fair Lady of the Scam?

I am willing to wager my left nut this chap is one of the Pentecostal holy rollers with a focus that I don't think is really Christian. Sorry, but I don't believe him.

No brickbats this time , bouquets all the way.

Totally in agreement with you GK on this issue.

Edited October 5, 2011 by siampolee

[Considered Opinion]

But highly unlikely that he will be either ashamed or held to book. One of the joys of TV is the number of well and fully accredited judges, jurymen and eventually executioners. I wonder if the Newbie is in fact an old hand trying to maintain a hold on his membership if he steps over the "bounds" such as they are.

Unfortunately the Nigerians seem to attract negative publicity because of their "churches" which in general would be far better off being knocked on the head as soon as they raise their eyes heavenward, looking for a dollar for their religious trash. The scams seem to be an end product of the churches based on the emails I get starting "my dear" and having somewhere a "light of God the father" shining on me for supporting them.

[ChangMaiSausage]

Sorry but as pointed out by another poster, most of the Nigerians I see in Bangkok seem to be up to no good, I've openly seen and heard them offering drugs to people passing by.

I'm amazed the boys in brown have made no more effort to clean them off the streets.

Edited October 5, 2011 by ChangMaiSausage

[apalink_thailand]

I hope they release them all soon so I can get that money the all have for me. I was wondering why I had not been getting as many emails lately.

"Owali said following insecurity, unprovoked harassment, sustained assault, arrest and extortion of money from Nigerians by Thai security officials, several Nigerians had decided to go underground".

I'm sure that there must be something wrong in the apparent detention of some of these Nigerians but there's no getting away from it - they ARE the undoubted kings of telephone/internet scams with some of them being THE SCUM OF THE EARTH and had it coming to them .

Ya, I am finding it extremely difficult to shed a tear for Nigerians. Why give them any justice when they sit in Internet cafes in Lagos stealing millions of dollars every day and are completely protected by their government. It is even reported that many Government officials and politicians got their start in the 419 scams. Na, if they are getting nicked by local police here, there is probably a good reason for it.

[ginjag]

Everyone should be allowed a trial, lets not prosecute people without knowing or understanding the truth...just makes us all look racist and narrow minded. Oh and dont put your real name with your picture on a forum unless you are willing to stand up to your comments in public (if by chance you are rude and negative towards people). Remember we are civil people act like it.

Sorry it's nothing to do with our I.D, it's not normal to put ones personal details here, what do we do put our bank and copy of passport on forum--my god, it's different opinions that make forum interesting, we all learn a bit. I am rude at times and embarrassed about my own country, and it's ex pats, but here we all know that all expect justice, but we also have to think that these Nigerian holiday visitors/ tourist should just be that the same as you and me, why so many are locked up is your guess as well as mine. So many of them are into all sorts of activities, hence the reason they are' inside"

[acranger]

I have an idea? Why don't all the Nigerians pack their bags and go back to Nigeria? They come in like locusts, scamming, selling drugs, pimping and intimidating people. They have completely ruined the Soi 3 and Soi 5 section of Sukhumvit. I stayed there back in 2004 and it was actually a nice place to be. The last time I was there in Summer 2011 it was like walking through an American ghetto, Detroit or New Orleans.

Pushy drug dealers, aggressive hookers. Large groups of young Black men blocking the sidewalk intimidating tourists.

I congratulate the Thai authorities for taking action and encourage them to continue the good work of removing this cancer from my favorite holiday destination!