Border closure behind attacks on over 1000 Nigerian-owned shops in Ghana

The closure of the Nigerian border has led to a rise in the attacks on shops owned by Nigerians in Ghana, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Olufemi Abikoye, has said.

Abikoye said about 1,000 shops owned by Nigerians had been shut as a  retaliation for the border closure which began in August. The shutting of the shops is being enforced by the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association.

Abikoye said in a statement that there was a need for both Ghana and Nigeria to settle things amicably so as not to destroy the good relationship between both countries.

The statement further read,

“It is recalled that there has been ongoing tension between Ghanaian and Nigerian traders of recent, with almost 1,000 shops belonging to Nigerian traders being illegally shut down by the GUTA members.

“The excuse for their action was linked to Nigeria’s temporary closure of its land border and the short-listing of about 45 products from the ECOWAS trade liberalisation scheme, an action which they claimed crippled their trading activities with Nigeria.

“Given the above scenario, it is pertinent to note that such attacks by GUTA which could threaten the national security of both countries and mar bilateral relations may likely continue if drastic steps are not taken by both governments to address the issue amicably.”

He noted that GUTA, on Monday, carried out another round of attacks on Nigerian retailers. The attackers, wielding various weapons, carried out the attacks at Circle Tip Toe Lane, near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange in Accra, Ghana.

The attack occurred following an attempt by the Nigerians to reopen their shops which were locked on December 1, 2019 by members of GUTA allegedly using operatives of the Ghana Police Force.

This led to a clash between the two sides.

The high commissioner said in a bid to ensure the safety of lives and property of the Nigerian traders, the commission swiftly contacted the Ghana Police Force to come to their rescue by mobilising sufficient personnel to disarm the invading attackers as well as restoring peace and normalcy in the area.

Abikoye also sought the intervention of various Ghanaian establishments to ensure that the illegally locked shops were immediately opened.