Nigerian Traders in Ghana Fear for Their Lives, Demand Evacuation

It has been a year since Nigerians residing and trading in Ghana have seen their businesses shut down by authorities there. They are urging the Nigerian government to evacuate them because of, they say, the constant and consistent harassment, intimidation, torture, and threat to life as well as a total lockdown of their means of livelihood. Nigerian Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has called on the traders not to leave Ghana, but rather be patient with the Nigerian government , as it continues to engage the Ghanaian authorities and other relevant stakeholders. Shops belonging to Nigerian traders in Accra were shut by Ghanaian authorities who demanded cash payment of U.S.$1 million before being allowed to operate. The affected Nigerian businesses were said to be violating a Ghanaian law, barring non-nationals from operating in the domestic retail space. This is believed to be a retaliatory move against the decision made by the Nigerian government, to close its land borders to curb smuggling.