The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has urged restraint following protests by some Ghanaians accusing Nigerians of criminal activities in their country.
Reacting to the growing tensions, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa condemned what she described as the “blanket” profiling of Nigerians living in Ghana as criminals.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the agency’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, she maintained that while a few individuals may engage in crime, the majority of Nigerians abroad are law-abiding and serve as good ambassadors.
“Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves, while those bad ones should be fished out to face necessary sanctions,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
She emphasized the close ties between both countries, describing Nigeria and Ghana as “Siamese twins” that should continue to co-exist peacefully, especially under the spirit of ECOWAS regional integration.
The protests, sparked by viral videos of Ghanaians demanding the expulsion of Nigerians, have led to rising concerns within Nigeria’s diaspora community. However, NiDCOM called on Nigerians in Ghana to remain calm and avoid retaliation, assuring them that the issue is being addressed through appropriate diplomatic channels.
She also cautioned against spreading misinformation, dismissing videos suggesting that Nigerian-owned shops and properties were being attacked in Ghana. “There is no evidence to that and we must at all cost try to prevent any reprisal attacks,” she warned.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations, Senator Aniekan Bassey, described the anti-Nigerian protest as “deeply disturbing and contrary to the spirit of African brotherhood.”
Senator Bassey, who is also a member of the 6th Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, called for the preservation of diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Ghana. “We must keep the flame of brotherhood alive. Nigeria and Ghana, as key members of ECOWAS, should be at the forefront of promoting peace, unity, and regional integration as enshrined in the ECOWAS charter,” he stated.
He assured Nigerians living in Ghana of government support and urged continued patience as diplomatic efforts unfold.
What you should know
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, a former lawmaker and journalist, currently leads NiDCOM, the agency responsible for the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora.
Her leadership has focused on protecting the rights of Nigerians abroad and strengthening bilateral ties, especially across Africa.
