After coming to know that six African nationals, including four Tanzanian women and two Nigerian men, were being harassed by a hostile crowd gathered outside their homes in Hari Vihar in Dwarka following rumours that they were cannibals and abducting children, police landed at the spot and rescued the embattled Africans, police said Friday.
A call was made to the Police Control Room by the mother of a 16-year-old boy about his disappearance and subsequent fear that he was eaten by the Africans residing on rent for the last two months in the area.
Police’s timely intervention saved the situation from turning violent. During investigation, police found out that the woman, who had called up PCR alleging that her son was kidnapped by two Nigerians, lied to us, and the canabalism charge was nothing but a mischievous rumour. The woman turned off her phone after son was found in a hale and hearty condition, police said.
Police said there was no evidence or information with the locals about the Africans’ involvement in the alleged kidnapping. Police dismissed allegations of foreign nationals being assaulted or mob vandalising their house and stated that no injury was reported on their rescue.
“After receiving five calls on the PCR, local police rushed to the spot. Although there was no assault on the foreign nationals, police brought them to police station for their safety. The rumour of kidnapping was later verified and found false,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Anto Alphonse stated.
No family members of the woman who complaint about kidnapping came forward to the police station to take cognizance of the PCR call.
The Tanzanian women were identified as Assifa, Riziki, Fatima and Esta Joshva. The Nigerians are named Nwaogu (38) and Ogbuewu (34). Nwaogu does not possess an Indian visa, hence will be deported accordingly, said a police official. “Though they do not want any case to be registered but we have decided to take suo motu action and lodge an FIR and investigate it”, said Madhup Tiwari, Joint Commissioner of Police.
“We have in so many ways championed for society devoid of prejudices, it is disheartening to hear such occurrences. Although there’s been a drastic fall in such cases, we believe there is need to do more. We appreciate the assistance of police,” said Merveil Ntambwe Ngongo, president of Association of African students in India, Delhi NCR Chapter.