The Nigerians in Diaspora Orgnisation (NIDO), have expressed worry over how Ghanaians have perceived Nigerians living in Ghana as being responsible for all the kidnappings and other criminal acts that are happening in the country.

According to them, Nigerians have automatically been cast as culprits by the Ghanaian society, an assertion that has been supported by some senior law enforcement agencies in Ghana.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Saturday, the Director of Corporate Affairs for NIDO, Oscar Ugoh stated that, “The plain and ugly truth is that the perceived deep involvement of Nigerians in the ongoing rash of kidnappings in Ghana, irrespective of the true levels of their involvement or complicity, is smearing the image and reputation of law abiding Nigerians resident here, and even those just visiting for short periods as tourists or for the purpose of trade and investment.”

“It is instructive to note however, that investigations so far does not exactly confirm the erroneous but popular belief as to the involvement of Nigerians in the ongoing wave of kidnapping in Ghana. Apart from the publicized case, that of the alleged kidnapping of the three young girls in Takoradi by a Nigerian, none of the other cases have been confirmed to have been executed by Nigerians,” he said.

Meanwhile, Oscar Ugoh noted that Nigerians resident in Ghana are law abiding, socially responsible and indeed are making significant contributions to the Ghanaian economic growth and social development. He lamented that there is the clear and present danger that the situation could be used by some forces in Ghana to generate a violent backlash against law abiding socially responsible Nigerians.

However, he noted that Ghana and Nigeria have stood solidly behind each other in good times and bad times while they had a brotherly relationship, and therefore must be seen to always thread on that which unites both countries. “Nigerians residents here in Ghana have made, and continue to make significant contributions to Ghana’s economic growth and development, in ways that directly enhance living standards among the Ghanaian populace both at the national and local community levels,” he said.

Based on the above, Oscar Ugoh appealed to all concerned, Ghanaians and Nigerians alike to be circumspect in their actions resulting from the ongoing crimes, so as not to adversely affect the special relationship between the two countries.

“We wish to note that the Nigerian High Commissioner has been embarking on the sensitisation of Nigerians in the various regions of Ghana to be law abiding and live in harmony with their Ghanaian brothers and sisters. We on part will also embark on vigorous sensitization of Nigerians Across communities, societies and clubs to be law abiding,” he added.

For his part, the President of All Nigerian Communities in Ghana, Moses O.T. Owharo said the organisation was working to ensure that they have the data of all Nigerians who live in Ghana or visit the country, to be able to trace them in case there is any form of criminality.

According to him, the organisation does not support any form of illegality and criminality and therefore will ensure that whoever is caught involved in any form of criminality is handed over to the law enforcement agencies.

He therefore appealed to government to engage them in policy formulation as stakeholders, for the development of both countries.