Police arrest 1 for killing of Nigerian national in western India

Indian police have arrested a 24- year-old man in connection with the killing of a Nigerian national in the western state of Goa last week, a senior police official said Wednesday. "Suren Paul, a resident of Goa, has been arrested late last night for the murder of Nigerian national Obodo Simon who was found dead with stab wounds in the state's Mapusa town. The suspect has links with the drug mafia," he said, on condition of anonymity. The killing last week triggered massive protests by Nigerians in Goa and subsequent police crackdown on those staying illegally in the tourist state. State Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has ordered the police to comb the entire state and track down Nigerians and other foreign nationals who do not have valid visas. "The state government will withdraw minor cases against the Nigerians and begin process to deport them," he said. A Nigerian consular official has been quoted by the Indian media as cautioning of retaliation. "There are only 50,000 Nigerians living in India but there are over 1 million Indians living in Nigeria. Thousands of Indians living there will be thrown out on the streets if forcible eviction of Nigerians in Goa does not stop," consular attache Jacob Nwadadia said.