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.
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.
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