Nigeria, Ghana immigration officials in talks to ease tensions following deportation row

Following the recent deportation of four Ghanaian nationals by Nigerian authority, comptroller-general of Ghana Immigration Service, Kwame Takyi, on Friday visited Nigerian counterpart, Mohammed Babandede, in hi’s office in Abuja.

In a press statement on Saturday, Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) revealed that the two countries have begun reconciliatory talks to forestall a further escalation of a deportation row.

About a week ago, Nigeria had deported four Ghanaians to Accra. No formal explanation was publicly rendered for the deportation, which was approved by Abdulrahman Dambazau, the interior minister.

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

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

In its statement, the NIS said that the Comptroller-General had played host to the visiting Comptroller-General of Ghana Immigration Service, Mr Kwame Takyi accompanied by the Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Rashid Bawa. Nigerian Nigeria- map.

“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.”

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