Nigerians in Goa feel the heat after police action

Nigerians have disappeared from the streets of Goa's Parra village, an area dominated by them, a day after 53 nationals from the African country were detained for unruly protest.

After the protest, which saw them blocking Mapusa- Panaji Highway following the murder of a fellow countryman, Goa authorities have decided to crack down on Nigerians staying without proper documents. The murder has been linked to drug trade rivalry. Locals said Nigerians had become a nuisance. "They sleep during the day and after the sunset take to the streets riding bikes recklessly. They venture out in groups obeying traffic rules. They rule the street entire night," Delilah Lobo, woman Sarpanch of Parra, said today.

The village is home to almost 30 per cent of the Nigerians living in the tourist state. Panchayat records show that nearly 30 houses have been rented out to them. The Nigerians usually travel in groups and no one knows their source of income, said Lobo, whose husband is the local MLA and President of North Goa BJP.