FG Condemns U.S. Over Transfer of 13 Deportees to Ghana

Nigeria’s Federal Government has condemned the United States over the deportation of 13 of its citizens to Ghana without prior consultation with Abuja.

According to Ghanaian officials, the Nigerians along with a Gambian national were flown to Accra aboard a U.S. military cargo plane last week, despite having no documented ties to Ghana.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said Accra accepted the deportees “purely on humanitarian grounds,” citing the country’s Pan-African commitment after other West African nations reportedly declined the U.S. request.

“We could not stand by and watch our fellow West Africans suffer,” Ablakwa stated, adding that Ghana refused any financial incentive from Washington. “We made it clear that we would not take a single dollar because accepting deportees carries a financial burden.”

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs distanced itself from the arrangement, insisting that its citizens should have been sent directly home.

Spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said, “We have always rejected the deportation of other nationals into Nigeria. Our people can be repatriated directly there is no justification for routing them through another country.”

While Ghana maintains that all 14 deportees have since departed for their respective countries, lawyers representing four of the Nigerians disputed that account, claiming in court filings and interviews that their clients remain in detention in Ghana. Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu denied any such holding facility, insisting that “no one’s rights have been abused.”

The controversy has reignited debate over the handling of deportation procedures involving West African citizens and the need for improved coordination between governments.