Tensions flared in Ghana this week as a viral video captured a mass protest in Accra, where a large group of Ghanaians took to the streets demanding the expulsion of Nigerians from the country over allegations of rising crime, prostitution, and ritual killings.
Protesters held placards with pointed messages, including:
“Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop, Our health at stake dues to mass prostitution and Nigerians are Kidnapping and using people for rituals”.
One disturbing placard read, “Our Kids are getting missing because of Igbos “. in reference to Nigeria’s southeastern ethnic group.
In the footage, demonstrators expressed outrage over what they described as increasing insecurity and the alleged domination of key economic areas by Nigerian nationals, particularly the Igbo community. A photo of a man said to have been murdered by a Nigerian was also displayed.
One protester, a woman in her mid-30s, voiced her frustration, saying, “Nigerians must go because you cant be in someone’s country and be doing anyhow “.
Another speaker added, “They have even hijacked our markets and even crowned an igbo king in ghana . We will reclaim it”.
The protest echoes historical tensions between the two West African nations. In 1983, Nigeria’s then-President Shehu Shagari ordered the expulsion of over two million undocumented immigrants mostly Ghanaians in an infamous directive now remembered by the nickname ” Ghana Must Go”.
The term became associated with the iconic checkered bags used by those forced to leave.
As of press time, the Ghanaian government has not issued a formal statement addressing the protest or outlining any official position regarding the status of Nigerian nationals living in the country.
The situation continues to unfold amid growing calls for calm and dialogue between the two countries to avoid further diplomatic strain and regional instability.
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