Ghanaians in Abuja Stage Protest Over Alleged Mistreatment by Nigerian Officials
A group of Ghanaian nationals residing in Abuja staged a peaceful protest on Thursday to express concern over what they described as repeated cases of harassment and intimidation by Nigerian law enforcement agencies.
The protest, which took place near the Ghana High Commission in the Nigerian capital, drew dozens of Ghanaian residents who chanted slogans and displayed placards with messages such as “Stop Harassing Us” and “Respect Our Rights.”
Protesters claimed they have faced increased scrutiny in recent months, with some accusing security personnel of conducting unlawful stop-and-search operations, arbitrary arrests, and demanding bribes.
“We are not criminals. We live and work here legally, yet we are being treated unfairly,” said Kwame Mensah, a Ghanaian entrepreneur who has lived in Abuja for five years. “We are calling on the Ghanaian government to engage with their Nigerian counterparts to protect the dignity of Ghanaians living in this country.”
Some of the demonstrators also alleged that immigration officers frequently target them for extortion, especially in business districts and residential areas with high foreign populations.
Officials of the Ghana High Commission in Abuja declined to comment publicly but confirmed they were aware of the protest and had received complaints in recent weeks. A diplomatic source revealed that talks were already underway with relevant Nigerian authorities to address the concerns raised.
As of press time, Nigeria’s Immigration Service and the Police Force had not issued any official statement in response to the protest.
The protest ended peacefully after about two hours, with protesters dispersing under the watch of a small contingent of Nigerian police officers.
