Three Nigerians executed in Indonesia

Three Nigerians and an Indonesian were on Thursday executed for drug trafficking offences.

The Indonesian government was meant to execute 14 alleged drug traffickers, but a reprieve of uncertain duration was granted to 10 out of the lot.

Among those on death row include six Nigerians, four Indonesians, two Zimbabweans, one Indian and one Pakistani.

Noor Rachmad, deputy attorney-general, said the four individuals were killed by firing squad not long after midnight local time on the penal island of Nusa Kambangan.

On those who have been given a temporary reprieve, Rachmad said the government hadn’t decided when the other executions will take place.

President Joko Widodo, who was elected in 2014, has now overseen three sets of executions despite promising to improve human rights in Indonesia during his campaign.

After a four-year unofficial moratorium on death penalty, executions resumed in Indonesia in 2013.

According to Amnesty International, over 100 people are on death row in Indonesia.

Nusa Kambangan prison had about 1,500 officers assigned to guard the area during the period leading to the executions.

Spiritual advisers were tasked with providing comfort and guidance to prisoners in their final hours before facing the firing squad.