Rita Waeni Murder: Nigeria Fires At Kenyans Demanding Deportation Of Its Citizens

The Nigeria High Commission in Kenya has issued an advisory on false accusations and attacks on its citizens following the murder of 20-year-old Rita Waeni in Roysambu, Nairobi and the subsequent arrest of a Nigerian national linked to the murder.

In a statement seen by Viral Tea, the Commission expressed its concern over local media and social media reports pointing an accusing finger towards Nigerians for the femicide crimes, which have sparked public outrage.

"Following the unfortunate murders of two young ladies in the past couple of weeks which have rightly elicited public condemnation, the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Nairobi is concerned by the preponderance of online blogs, doctored videos and social media posts, maliciously entrenching a spurious speculation that 'Nigerians' have perpetrated these heinous crimes," the statement read in part.

A signpost of the Nigeria High Commission in Kenya. /SAHARA REPORTERS

"Conscious of some reports of sporadic attacks on Nigerian nationals, it has become important for the Nigeria High Commission to urge all Nigerians in Kenya to remain calm and to continue to be law-abiding and respectable members of the public."

The Commission thus urged Nigerians to be vigilant and to avoid unnecessary movements even as investigations are ongoing and formal communication from the host law enforcement authorities is awaited.

"Furthermore, we wish to implore well-meaning members of the public to desist from disinformation and to refer all enquiries to appropriate channels in order to ascertain accurate information," added the statement.

The High Commission also stated that it is taking proper note of the channels through which the disinformation is being shared and assured that necessary action, within the scope of international law and extant legal provisions of the host authorities, will be invoked as appropriate.

The Nigeria High Commission in Kenya is the diplomatic mission of Nigeria in Kenya and is located in the capital city of Nairobi. It provides consular services and promotes bilateral relations between the two countries.

The statement comes after the reported arrest of a Nigerian national and two other suspects. The foreigner is currently treated as the main suspect in the murder after he was arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as he was on his way out of the country bound for Abuja.

The foreigner raised suspicion after he was found to be travelling with a Mozambican passport before boarding a plane. He was interrogated at the airport before being transferred to the Kasarani Police Station pending identification.

Furthermore, multiple reports revealed that several Kenyans had tipped the authorities regarding the suspect who resembled the man whose facial identity was exposed through CCTV footage aired through media platforms.

The late Waeni's family had revealed that the actual killer who remains at large had called her father demanding a ransom of Ksh500,000 to secure her release.

Furthermore, an additional two messages were sent to the family demanding the ransom. Unfortunately, the family did not get further details about the ransom or an opportunity to explore this route and some demands were made when she had already been murdered.

The ensuing saga amidst the nationwide uproar saw a section of Kenyans turn against Nigerian nationals in the country through social media and calling for their deportation.