By M10News Africa Desk|29 July 2025
Tensions between Ghanaian citizens and Nigerian migrants have escalated following a protest in Accra, where dozens of demonstrators accused Nigerians of contributing to rising crime, ritual killings, and prostitution in the country.
In a viral video circulated online Tuesday, protesters were seen marching with handwritten placards bearing accusatory slogans such as “Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop,” “Our health at stake due to mass prostitution,” and “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals.”
One sign specifically read, “Our kids are getting missing because of Igbos,” referring to an ethnic group from southeastern Nigeria. Another placard questioned, “Who protects the right and freedom of Ghanaians?”
The protest, which appeared to have been organised without formal approval, sparked renewed debate over the presence of Nigerians in Ghana and rekindled painful memories of historical migration tensions between the two West African nations.
@thenewsafrica Live updates: We are not save, Ghanaians on the street walk in protest to show grievances on the activities of Nigerian in their country. #fyp #viral #igbokingdom #thenewsafrica
♬ original sound – The News Africa
Protesters also displayed a photograph of a man who they claimed was recently killed by a Nigerian national in Accra. M10News could not independently verify the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing, and Ghanaian authorities have yet to comment on the case.
In the video, a woman believed to be in her mid-30s voiced her anger at what she described as “anyhowness” from Nigerians residing in Ghana.
“Nigerians must go,” she shouted. “You can’t be in someone’s country and be doing anyhow. Nigerians must go!”
Another demonstrator claimed that Nigerians, particularly those of Igbo descent, had taken over local markets and were acting with impunity.
“These Igbo, they are in every part of the country and have targeted our markets,” the man alleged. “Not just Igbo, Nigerians are in almost every village, and our laws have not allowed foreigners to engage in real dealings. They even have an Igbo king in Ghana.”
He went further, accusing Nigerian migrants of “hijacking our lands” and warned of a possible “takeover” by Ghanaians if the government failed to act.
@ghanablogs.come Her new protest video Nigerians🇬🇭🇳🇬🇬🇭 follow for more updates #foryoupage #igboking #fyp #Ghanablogs🇬🇭 #goviral #ghanatiktok🇬🇭 #nigeria
♬ original sound – GhanaBlog
As of Tuesday evening, the Ghanaian government had not issued any formal statement addressing the protest or its underlying grievances. There were also no immediate reports of arrests or violence during the demonstration.
The incident has revived memories of the infamous “Ghana Must Go” episode of 1983, when Nigeria expelled an estimated two million undocumented immigrants—mostly Ghanaians—under a directive issued by then-President Shehu Shagari.
At the time, Shagari defended the action as necessary to uphold immigration laws. “Illegal immigrants, under normal circumstances, should not be given any notice whatsoever,” he said. “If you break a law, then you have to pay for it.”
That mass expulsion led to the creation of the now-iconic red-and-blue-checked bags used by displaced Ghanaians to carry their belongings—bags that came to symbolise xenophobia and forced migration.
Today, many Ghanaians view the growing number of Nigerians in the country—legal and undocumented—with suspicion, especially amid economic challenges and rising insecurity. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has millions of citizens living across the continent, including in neighbouring Ghana.
However, the rhetoric from Tuesday’s protest has raised concern among human rights advocates and regional analysts who warn that scapegoating foreigners could fuel xenophobic violence if left unchecked.
At the time of reporting, neither the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana nor Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued a response.
Editing by M10News Africa Desk | Contact: africa@m10news.com
© 2025 M10News. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited.
