The chairwoman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has stressed the need for calm, urging Nigerians living in Ghana not to be provoked or resort to violence against anyone.
Ms Dabiri-Erewa gave the advice in a statement on Wednesday, following tensions between citizens of the two countries.
The statement comes against the backdrop of a trending video on social media showing some Ghanaians demanding the immediate repatriation of Nigerians from their country.
Ms Dabiri-Erewa said that the alleged call for the deportation of Nigerians from Ghana was already being handled at the diplomatic level by the foreign affairs ministry.
“The attention of NiDCOM has been drawn to a disturbing video on social media showing a protest by some Ghanaians, calling on the authorities to send Nigerians back to Nigeria.
“I appeal for calm and urge Nigerians living in Ghana not to be provoked or go into violence with anyone, as the issue is being handled at the diplomatic level by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu.
“Anyone using inciteful words, on both sides, should desist henceforth, as such statements are capable of escalating the matter,” said NiDCOM chief.
She urged Nigerians to disregard the videos circulating that Nigerians’ shops and properties were being destroyed by Ghanaians. According to the NiDCOM boss, there is no evidence to that effect, and so Nigerians must at all costs try to prevent any reprisal attacks.
She lauded the Ghanaian and Nigerian high commissioners for their efforts to control the situation.
Ms Dabiri-Erewa added that the the foreign affairs minister was already in touch with Ghanaian authorities, and had taken some proactive measures toward finding an amicable resolution.
She stressed that the blanket outrage against Nigerians living in Ghana and branding them as criminals should be condemned by all. This, according to her, is because Nigerians are not criminals but good ambassadors wherever they find themselves.
She advised that the bad ones among them should be identified and faced with necessary sanctions.
“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.
NAN
