The Federal Government has strongly condemned recent protests by Ghanaian citizens demanding the deportation of Nigerians from their country, describing the blanket characterization of Nigerian nationals as criminals as unacceptable.
The condemnation came through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission following viral footage of hundreds of Ghanaian protesters carrying placards with inflammatory messages against Nigerians residing in the West African nation.
The Tuesday protest saw demonstrators displaying banners with accusations including “Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop,” “Our health at stake due to mass prostitution,” “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals,” and “Our kids are getting missing because of Igbos.”
In response to the disturbing scenes, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa issued a statement through the commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, rejecting the wholesale vilification of Nigerian citizens.
“Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves while those bad ones should be fish out and face the necessary sanctions,” Dabiri-Erewa declared, defending the integrity of the Nigerian diaspora community.
The NIDCOM chief emphasized the historical bonds between both nations, describing them as inseparable partners within the regional framework. “Ghana and Nigeria are like siamese twins. They are brothers and such in the spirit of ECOWAS and regional integration should continue to live in peace like brothers,” she stated.
Dabiri-Erewa issued a direct appeal for restraint to Nigerians living in Ghana, urging them to avoid any retaliatory actions despite the provocative nature of the protests. She assured the diaspora community that the matter is being addressed through proper diplomatic channels.
“The NIDCOM Boss appealed for calm and urged Nigerians living in Ghana not to be provoked or go into violence with anyone as the issue is being handled at the diplomatic level,” the statement read.
The commission head also called for responsible communication from both sides, warning against inflammatory rhetoric that could escalate tensions between the two neighboring countries. She specifically advised against the use of inciteful language by both Nigerians and Ghanaians.
Addressing circulating reports of property destruction, Dabiri-Erewa moved to quell rumors and prevent potential reprisal attacks. She advised Nigerians to disregard videos suggesting that Nigerian-owned shops and properties had been destroyed by Ghanaians.
“There is no evidence to that and we must at all cost prevent any reprisal attacks,” she emphasized, seeking to prevent the situation from deteriorating into violent confrontations.
The NIDCOM chairman praised the diplomatic efforts being undertaken to resolve the crisis, acknowledging the roles of both countries’ high commissioners in managing the situation. She revealed that Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs has maintained communication with Ghanaian authorities and implemented proactive measures to address the concerns.
The protest accusations against Nigerians include allegations of mass prostitution, ritual killings, kidnapping, and various violent crimes, with some demonstrators specifically targeting the Igbo ethnic group in their complaints.
The diplomatic response reflects Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad while maintaining the strong bilateral relationship that has historically existed between the two West African nations within the ECOWAS framework.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by diaspora communities and the need for careful management of cross-border tensions to preserve regional unity and cooperation.
