The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has reacted to a viral video showing a group of Ghanaians protesting and calling for the deportation of Nigerians from Ghana.
In the video, the protestors accused some Nigerians of engaging in criminal activities and claimed their conduct was incompatible with Ghanaian societal values.
In response, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned the blanket labeling of Nigerians as criminals, describing it as unfair and dangerous. She emphasized that while a few individuals may be involved in wrongdoing, the vast majority of Nigerians living in Ghana are law-abiding and make positive contributions to society.
“Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves. Those involved in criminal acts should be identified and appropriately sanctioned,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
She added that Ghana and Nigeria share close historical and regional ties, likening both nations to “Siamese twins” within the ECOWAS framework, and called for peaceful coexistence.
The NIDCOM boss urged Nigerians in Ghana to remain calm and not be provoked into violence, assuring that the matter is being handled diplomatically. She also warned against the use of inciteful language by both Nigerians and Ghanaians, cautioning that such rhetoric could escalate tensions.
Addressing concerns about alleged attacks on Nigerian-owned shops and properties in Ghana, Dabiri-Erewa said there was no evidence to support the claims and advised the public to disregard the circulating videos. “We must prevent any form of reprisal attacks at all costs,” she said.
She commended both the Nigerian and Ghanaian High Commissioners for their ongoing efforts to manage the situation and noted that the Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs has also engaged Ghanaian authorities to ensure calm.
