NiDCOM, Senate Urge Calm as Ghanaians Protest Against Nigerians Over Crime Claims

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has appealed for calm following a protest by some Ghanaians who accused Nigerians of being responsible for rising criminal activities in their country.

Reacting to the protest, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned what she described as an unfair generalisation of Nigerians living in Ghana.

“Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves while those bad ones should be fished out to face necessary sanctions,” she said in a statement issued by the Commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.

Dabiri-Erewa reminded both countries of their close historical and regional ties. “Ghana and Nigeria are like Siamese twins. They are brothers and in the spirit of ECOWAS and regional integration should continue to live in peace like brothers,” she added.

The reaction follows a viral video showing Ghanaians staging a protest and demanding that Nigerians be expelled, accusing them of not conforming to Ghanaian values.

In response, the NiDCOM chief urged Nigerians in Ghana to remain calm and avoid any form of provocation or retaliation. She assured that the issue is being addressed through appropriate diplomatic channels.

“There is no evidence to that and we must at all cost try to prevent any reprisal attacks,” Dabiri-Erewa said, dismissing viral claims that Nigerians’ shops and properties were being destroyed.

She also cautioned against inciting rhetoric from either side, warning that inflammatory language could worsen tensions.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations, Senator Aniekan Bassey, strongly condemned the protest, describing it 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 on both nations to uphold the legacy of friendship and regional cooperation that defines their shared history.

“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 further declared, “We stand with every law-abiding Nigerian in Ghana and urge calm as the appropriate diplomatic channels are being effectively explored.”