The Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Michael Abikoye, has questioned the Ghana Immigration Service over inhuman treatment of Nigerians in the country, as well as the deportation of 723 Nigerians between 2018 and 2019.
Abikoye revealed this at a meeting between him and the Comptroller-General of the GIS, Kwame Takyi, in Ghana.
According to Abikoye, 723 Nigerians were deported on alleged illegal stay, cybercrime and prostitution between January 2018 and January 2019.
He added that 81 Nigerians were deported on alleged cybercrime and illegal stay in January, while 115 have so far been deported on the allegation of overstay and prostitution.
The high commissioner warned that the Nigerian government won’t accept any inhumane treatment of its citizens.
“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.
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“There are several Ghanaians living in Nigeria and the Nigeria Immigration Service has never deported any of them on the grounds of illegal stay because of the brotherliness between our countries,” he said.
To substantiate his claims, the ambassador presented to the CG a copy of the mission’s records on deportations of Nigerians from January 2018 till date.
He also showed photos of some of them who sustained injuries on their legs, arms and eyes during torture.
Responding, the Comptroller-General, Takyi, said the GIS had to act because of the conduct of some Nigerians in Ghana.
He alleged that “some Nigerians had become laws in themselves; they block major Ghanaian streets where they drink, fight and stab one another.”
“This unruly behavior which contravenes the local laws in Ghana has led to directives from higher authorities for the arrests and eventual deportation of those who do not have the requisite immigration papers,” he said.