FG Reacts as Ghana Immigration Deports 723 Nigerians

• FG Reacts as Ghana Immigration Deports 723 Nigerians

The Nigerian High Commission in Ghana has protested the ill-treatment of illegal Nigerians by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) following the deportation of 723 Nigerians between 2018 and 2019.

Ambassador Michael Abikoye, who disclosed this at a meeting between him and the comptroller-general of GIS, Kwame Takyi, said 81 Nigerians were deported on alleged cybercrime and overstay in January, while about 115 have so far been deported in February for prostitution and overstay.

The commissioner cautioned against inhuman treatment of Nigerians by Ghana, saying such won’t be tolerated by the Nigerian government.

He, however, said the High Commission would not tolerate criminality from Nigerians residing in Ghana.

“Although, the GIS had linked prostitution and cybercrimes as some of the reasons for the deportation, it is improper to deport Nigerians for alleged illegal stay in Ghana.”

“There are several Ghanaians living in Nigeria and the Nigeria Immigration Service has never deported any of them on the ground of illegal stay, because of a sense of brotherliness between our countries,” he said.

In response, Kwame Takyi said the GIS is being forced to carry out repatriation because of the conduct of some Nigerian nationals in Ghana.

He said apart from cybercrime and prostitution, “some Nigerians had become laws in themselves; they do road blockages in major Ghanaian streets where they drink, fight and stab one another.”

“This unruly behaviour” which contravenes the local laws in Ghana has led to directive from higher authority for their arrests and eventual deportation of those who do not have the requisite immigration papers.”

The comptroller General later backed his words with a video showing some Nigerians obstructing justice by preventing the official vehicle of the GIS the right of way after a Nigerian was picked up in Kasoa area.

Takyi promised to investigate alleged torture of some Nigerians.