Ghanaian Protesters Demand Nigerians Leave Amid Allegations of Crime, Prostitution and Ritual Killings

Tensions flared in Ghana as scores of protesters took to the streets, accusing Nigerian nationals of perpetrating crimes including mass prostitution, ritual killings, and armed robbery within the country.

In a viral video making the rounds on Tuesday, demonstrators—many carrying placards with strong messages—voiced their anger over what they described as the growing threat posed by Nigerian immigrants. Some of the inscriptions read: “Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop,” “Our health at stake due to mass prostitution,” “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals,” and “Our kids are getting missing because of Igbos.”

The protesters also held up a picture of a man they claimed was killed by a Nigerian in the Accra area.

One of the women leading the protest, believed to be in her 30s, voiced her frustration over what she described as lawlessness by Nigerians in Ghana. “Nigerians must go because you can’t be in someone’s country and be doing anyhow. Nigerians must go,” she declared.

Another protester expressed concerns over economic dominance and territorial control by Nigerian communities. “These Igbo, they are in every part of the country and have targeted our markets. Not just Igbo, Nigerians are in almost every village, and our laws have not allowed foreigners to engage in real dealings. They are perpetrating evil in our country. They even have a Igbo king in Ghana. They have hijacked our lands. It is just a matter of time; we will conquer them and take over our country,” he said.

The outrage has drawn historical comparisons to Nigeria’s 1983 expulsion of undocumented West African migrants—largely Ghanaians—during the administration of President Shehu Shagari. At the time, the Nigerian government had ordered nearly two million undocumented immigrants to leave the country.

“If they don’t leave, they should be arrested, tried and sent back to their homes. Illegal immigrants, under normal circumstances, should not be given any notice whatsoever. If you break a law, then you have to pay for it,” President Shagari had said. The mass deportation gave rise to the now-famous “Ghana Must Go” bags used by deportees to pack their belongings.

As of the time of this report, the Ghanaian government has not made any official statement on the current protests or addressed the demands to deport Nigerians, regardless of their legal status.