Nigeria Content Online

The protocol
directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth office has apologised to
the Nigerian government for the wrongful raid on the home of a staff of
the nation’s high commission in the England. The directorate, in a
letter sent to the High Commissioner, Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, apologised
for how police officers ‘inadvertently’ entered the diplomat’s home on
the 17th of June in search of drugs after mistaking the heat given off
by a heating system for a cannabis factory. The residence was
reportedly searched after a police helicopter, using thermal imaging
equipment, spotted what was described as a higher than normal heat
signature in the roof of the building, assuming that the heat plume is
a sign that the property has being converted into a cannabis factory.

According to the
statement from the Directorate’s office, the letter expresses regret
for the unfortunate incidence stating that “We regret that police
checks failed to establish in advance that the property was the
residence of a diplomat,” the letter said, in parts. “Protocol
directorate would seek to ensure that such mistakes do not occur
again.” The Head of Information at the High Commission, Damian Agwu,
told NEXT that the apology is “being actively considered by the
Nigerian government.” Mr Agwu also corrected media reports that the
invaded house, situated in Northern London, was that of Mr Tafida. He
said the house, located on Hendon Way is inhabited by another diplomat
with the High Commission.