Nigeria, Ghana in talks to end counter deportations

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and its Ghanaian counterpart have begun reconciliatory talks over the recent deportation of four Ghanaian nationals by Nigerian authority.

NIS Public Relations Officer, Sunday James said in a statement on Saturday that the Comptroller-General of NIS, Muhammad Babandede met with the comptroller-General of Ghana Immigration Service, Kwame Takyi accompanied by the Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Rashid Bawa.

“The meeting, which held behind closed doors, appeared to be a conciliatory meeting following the deportation of four Ghanaian nationals from Nigeria to Ghana.

“Babandede when contacted confirmed the meeting saying details of a further meeting was being worked out by the Ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and Ghana.

“There is no cause for alarm as both countries will resolve issues between both countries diplomatically.”

Interior minister, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) had authorised the deportation order of the four Ghanaian nationals over alleged violation of provisions of the Immigration Act and Regulations.

The visit comes a week after Nigeria deported four Ghanaians to Accra.

No formal explanation was publicly rendered for the deportation,  which was approved by Abdulrahman Dambazau, the interior minister.

A month earlier, Nigeria had protested mass deportation of at least 723 of its citizens between 2018 and February 2019. The Nigerians were accused of illegal stay, cyber-crime, prostitution and other social vices.

Eighty-one Nigerians were deported on allegations of cyber-crime and illegal stay in January, while 115 have so far been deported in February on the allegation of overstay and prostitution.

Nigerian ambassador to Ghana, Michael Abikoye, strongly protested the action to the Ghanaian government in Accra.

Nigeria’s objection to the removal of its citizens from Ghana and failure to publicly state the offences of the four deported Ghanaians had fuelled speculation that the March 22 decision might have been done in retaliation.