Nigerian Citizens Now Targets Of Extremist Racist Attacks In Greece?

Nigerians in far away recession-hit Greece are now living in perpetual fear of attack by extremists as they are now targets of vicious attacks especially by the neo-fascist group, Chrysi Avgi (Golden Dawn), which blames them for the country’s economic woes.

Last September, two Nigerians while returning to their homes after a weekend away, were victims of a racist attack which kept one of them bed-ridden in the hospital for four days.

Igwe Chijioke and Osama Ojo Osaro John, were reportedly leaving Omonia Metro Station in the city, and walking towards Patission Road when they were suddenly chased by six young Greeks on three motorbikes.

In a letter to the Nigerian ambassador, Chijioke said, “After a long chase they finally apprehended us on the street not too far from the Omonia Police Station and they started beating us and finally they pulled out knives and other sharp objects from their motorbike as they started stabbing my friend and I with the intention of killing us.”

He said in the letter that he identified the attackers as members of the Golden Dawn party from their outfits.

“After a while, they left us on the street in our own blood as they rode off while some group of Nigerians try coming to our rescue by calling the police.”

He said the police arrived at the scene 45mins later and he was rushed to ATHENS Laiko General Hospital where he was admitted on account of his injuries from September 23 to 27 before being discharged.

“The Greek society I thought I knew over the years both in the daylight and its nightlife has presented me with an everlasting/unforgettable memory of my entire life,” said Chiojioke.

“I am a Nigeria Citizen on Passport Number A00494423 that resides in Greece legally with all required legal residence permit (NO. A2621335 – F.NO: 4/166245) with the Greek government,” he wrote, begging the Nigerian ambassador for help to obtain justice from the Greek police and to stop further attacks upon Nigerians in the country.

Chijioke who wrote his appeal to the ambassador on October 2, 2012, has so far, not heard from the Nigerian ambassador to that country and this is even as attcaks against Nigerians there have continued unabated.