The Federal Government has expressed concern over the United States’ deportation of 13 Nigerians to Ghana without prior notification. The Nigerians, alongside one Gambian, were reportedly flown out of the United States on a military cargo plane and handed over to Ghanaian authorities, despite having no ties to the country.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said Accra accepted the deportees “purely on humanitarian principle,” citing Ghana’s Pan-African commitment after other West African countries allegedly rejected the request.
“We just could not continue to take the suffering of our fellow West Africans. We made it clear to the Americans that we will not accept one dollar, because taking the deportees comes with some financial burden,” he said.
However, Nigerian officials have distanced themselves from the move, insisting that Abuja was not consulted. Spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said: “What we have only rejected is the deportation of other nationals into Nigeria. Our citizens can be returned directly, and there is no reason to send them to another country first.”
According to Ghanaian government officials, the 14 deportees have since left Accra for their respective home countries. Ghana’s Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, reiterated the claim in an interview with the Associated Press, stating that the Gambian had flown home, while the 13 Nigerians were sent home on a bus.
