All is set for the execution, by firing squad in Indonesia, of three Nigerians and five other nationals convicted for drug smuggling in that Asian country. 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).

News agencies reports have it that Indonesia is already making final preparations to execute the eight foreigners and one Indonesian man by firing squad, with family members wailing in grief during last visits to their loved ones.

Ambulances carrying coffins have since arrived at a prison island for the imminent execution despite an international outcry and pleas for mercy, the reports said.

The nine inmates were given 72-hour notices over the weekend that they would be executed by a firing squad, prompting a flurry of last-minute lobbying by foreign leaders. The United Nations has argued that the inmates’ crimes are not egregious enough to warrant the ultimate punishment.

Indonesia has not said exactly when the executions will take place. But the arrival of the coffins and the families’ visits Tuesday, along with comments by lawyers and Indonesia’s usual execution protocol, suggest the inmates will be shot shortly after midnight.

The relatives were being allowed to visit with the inmates until 8 p.m., said Tony Spontana, spokesman for Indonesia’s attorney general.

“All the officials, prosecutors, firing squads and ambulances are in place, so hopefully the time (of the executions) is getting closer,” he told reporters. “So at the moment, we’re entering the quiet period before the executions, which will be carried out this week.”

Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo would not confirm comments by defence lawyers that the executions would be carried out in the early hours of Wednesday morning. “Let them count by themselves, that is their business,” he said. “They defend their clients, we defend the nation.”

Update news