Four Nigerians executed by firing squad in Indonesia

Four Nigerians and four others from other countries who were convicted drug smugglers have been executed by firing squad in Indonesia.

The executions took place in Besi prison on the island of Nusakambangan early on Wednesday morning local time, local media reports say.

They were executed by firing squad on Tuesday, despite pleas by the Nigerian government, UN and Amnesty International for the death sentence to be lifted.

The men had tried to smuggle heroine into the country.

The four Nigerians, had originally been sentenced between 1999, and 2004, for different drug-related offences.

They were; Martin Anderson, who was found guilty of possessing 50 grams of heroin. The 50 year old had travelled to Indonesia on a false passport, and was reportedly shot in the leg, during his arrest.

Raheem Agbaje Salami, 50, was arrested in Surabaya, with 5.5 kg of heroin, and was initially handed a life sentence

Final Goodbyes

Four other convicts are being held at the high-security prison in Indonesia and they are expected to be put to death by firing squad in several hours.

Two Australians, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, are among convicts being held at the high-security prison in Indonesia, where they are expected to also be put to death by firing squad.

Eleventh hour vigil was held in Sydney for death row Australians.

On Tuesday, the prisoners’ families were heard wailing as they boarded a boat for what’s expected to be their final goodbyes. Reporters at the port in Cilacap described harrowing scenes on Twitter.

Under Indonesian law, the death penalty is carried out by a 12-man firing squad, although only three guns are loaded with live ammunition.

Prisoners are given the choice of whether to stand or sit, and whether they want to wear a blindfold, hood or nothing. The shots — aimed at the heart — are fired from between 5 and 10 meters (16 to 33 feet), according to Amnesty International.