NIDCOM boss says “Nigerians are not criminals,” warns against incitement.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for calm following a viral video showing protests in Ghana demanding the deportation of Nigerians. The video, circulating on social media, features some Ghanaians accusing Nigerians of conduct not aligned with Ghanaian norms.
In a statement signed by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa condemned the protest and rejected the blanket criminalisation of Nigerians.
“Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves,” she said, urging that any bad actors be sanctioned individually.
She appealed to Nigerians in Ghana not to engage in violence, noting the issue is being handled diplomatically by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Debunking reports of attacks on Nigerian-owned shops, she urged the public to ignore unverified videos and avoid inflammatory remarks that may worsen tensions. She also commended Ghanaian and Nigerian officials for their swift, coordinated response to the situation.