Three Nigerians have been executed in Indonesia for drug related offences.

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

The unfortunate Nigerians are Okwudili Oyatanze, Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise and Raheem Agbajee Salami (who was reportedly travelling on a Spanish passport when he was caught)

A Ghanaian and four other convicts were equally put to death by firing squad hours later.

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 metres (16 to 33 feet), according to Amnesty International.