The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called for calm following recent protests in Ghana, where some citizens accused Nigerians of being responsible for rising crime rates in the country. In a statement on Tuesday, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned the “blanket” generalisation of Nigerians as criminals, urging that only individuals guilty of wrongdoing should be held accountable.
“Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves. The bad ones should be fished out to face necessary sanctions,” Dabiri-Erewa stated, emphasizing the deep ties between Nigeria and Ghana. She urged Nigerians living in Ghana to remain peaceful and not react violently to the provocation, adding that there was no verified evidence of attacks on Nigerian properties and warning against the spread of misinformation.
Meanwhile, Senator Aniekan Bassey, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, described the anti-Nigerian protest as “deeply disturbing and contrary to the spirit of African brotherhood.” He called on both nations to uphold their historic friendship and commitment to regional integration. “We must keep the flame of brotherhood alive,” Bassey said, while assuring Nigerians in Ghana that diplomatic efforts are underway to address the situation.