Ghanaians Protest, Chant “Nigerians Must Go” Over Alleged Crimes, Dabiri-Erewa Dismisses Property Destruction Rumours
Some Ghanaians have staged protests against Nigerians, accusing them of fueling crime, prostitution, and ritual killings in their country.
In a viral video shared on Tuesday, a large crowd of protesters was seen holding placards with bold messages. Some read: “Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop,” “Our health at stake due to mass prostitution,” “Who protects the rights and freedoms of Ghanaians?” and “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals.” Others claimed, “Our kids are going missing because of Igbos.”
The protesters also displayed a photo of a man allegedly killed by a Nigerian in the Accra area.
One woman in her 30s, visibly angry, shouted, “Nigerians must go! You can’t be in someone’s country and be doing anyhow.”
Another protester accused Nigerians of dominating local markets and engaging in criminal acts. He said, “These Igbo are everywhere. They’ve taken over our markets and villages. Our laws don’t allow foreigners to run real businesses, but they’re doing it. They even have an Igbo king here. They’ve hijacked our lands. But it’s just a matter of time. We will take our country back.”
As of now, the Ghanaian government has not issued a statement regarding the protest or the demand to expel Nigerians, regardless of their status.
In another development, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for calm following protests in Ghana where some citizens demanded the deportation of Nigerians.
Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement signed by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Publicity and Protocol, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, condemned the calls for deportation and rejected the criminal label placed on Nigerians living in Ghana.
“Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves while those bad ones should be fished out to face necessary sanctions,” she said.
She described the relationship between both countries as one of deep brotherhood. “Ghana and Nigeria are like Siamese twins. They are brothers and in the spirit of ECOWAS and regional integration should continue to live in peace like brothers.”
The NIDCOM boss urged Nigerians in Ghana not to retaliate or resort to violence. She assured them that the issue is being addressed diplomatically by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
She warned against the use of inciteful language, saying, “Anyone using inciteful words, on both sides, should desist henceforth as such statements are capable of escalating the matter.”
Dabiri-Erewa also dismissed rumours that Nigerians’ shops and properties were being destroyed. “There is no evidence to that and we must at all cost try to prevent any reprisal attacks,” she said.
She commended both the Nigerian and Ghanaian High Commissioners for their efforts and noted that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs has been in touch with Ghanaian authorities and taken proactive measures to defuse tensions.