NiDCOM Urges Restraint as Ghanaians Protest Against Nigerians Over Alleged Crimes
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for calm in response to a viral video circulating on social media showing some Ghanaians protesting and demanding the deportation of Nigerians residing in the country.
In the video, the protesters made unverified and inflammatory allegations, accusing Nigerians of ritual killings, armed robbery, and monopolizing local markets. Reacting to the development, Dabiri-Erewa, through a statement issued by the Commission’s Director of Public Relations and Protocol, AbdurRahman Balogun, condemned the generalization of Nigerians as criminals, describing it as unacceptable and unjust.
She stated that such behaviors and attitudes exhibited by the protesters do not reflect the broader values of Ghanaian society. “Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves. Those who break the law should be identified and dealt with appropriately, not used as justification for targeting the entire Nigerian community,” the statement read.
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NiDCOM emphasized the strong historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Ghana, likening the two nations to Siamese twins. It reiterated the importance of peaceful coexistence in the spirit of ECOWAS and regional integration.
Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians living in Ghana to remain law-abiding and not to be provoked into violence. She assured that the situation is being addressed diplomatically by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, who is in active engagement with Ghanaian authorities.
She also warned against the spread of misinformation, especially unverified videos and posts alleging attacks on Nigerians’ properties and businesses. “There is no evidence to support claims that Nigerian shops are being destroyed. We must avoid panic and prevent any form of reprisal,” she cautioned.
The NiDCOM boss commended both the Nigerian and Ghanaian High Commissions for their swift efforts to de-escalate tensions, and expressed confidence in the ongoing diplomatic engagements. She further advised individuals from both sides to refrain from making inciting statements that could inflame the situation.
By PRNigeria
