THE Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the renewed attacks on Nigerian traders in Ghana, saying it as uncalled for.
The chairman of the commission disclosed this, via a statement signed by the Commission Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun on Tuesday.
Dabiri condemned the reported case of attacks on Nigerian shops and traders by Ghanaians, saying it was quite unfortunate because it came when xenophobic attacks have been laid to rest following interventions of Nigerian and Ghanaian leaders.
There were reported cases of clash between Ghanaian and Nigerian traders on Monday.
The clash according to report resulted in the arrest of six, with others sustaining various degrees of injuries.
It was gathered that the attack on Nigerians followed the closure of shops belonging to some Nigerian traders at Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
Dabire however, appealed to Nigerians in Ghana, especially shop owners, not to take laws into their hands, but to remain calm and allow law enforcement agents to deal with the situation.
She said, “I hereby appeal for calm from both sides and implore the law enforcement agencies to protect the lives and properties, especially that of Nigerians from being attacked pending the resolution of the matter.”
“There has been tension between Ghanaian and Nigerian traders in recent time when over 600 shops belonging to Nigerian traders in Kumasi and other areas were shut this year allegedly by the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).
“Ghanaian traders feel foreigners, particularly Nigerians, Chinese and Lebanese have taken over their retail business,” the statement read.
Nigerians in Ghana, have long faced attacks from Ghanaian traders.
It would be recalled that in June, the Ghana Electrical Dealers Association (GEDA) reportedly locked up several shops belonging to Nigerians but was quickly reopened after 48 hours following intervention.
There was also another reported case of shops belonging to Nigerians locked up by Ghanaian traders at the popular Opera Square Electronic Market in the central business district of Accra.