The Federal Government has expressed strong concern over the deportation of 13 Nigerians by the United States to Ghana without prior notice.
Officials said the deportees, alongside a Gambian, were flown on a U.S. military cargo plane and handed to Ghanaian authorities despite lacking any connection to the country.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed that Accra accepted the deportees “purely on humanitarian principle.”
He explained that Ghana acted out of Pan-African commitment after other West African nations allegedly rejected the request.
“We could not watch fellow West Africans suffer. We made it clear to the Americans that we would not accept one dollar because hosting deportees comes with financial burden,” Ablakwa said.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs distanced itself from the move, stressing that Abuja was not consulted. Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said:
“What we have rejected is the deportation of other nationals into Nigeria. Our citizens can be returned directly, and there is no reason to send them to another country first.”
According to Ghanaian officials, the 14 deportees later left Accra for their home countries.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Ghana’s Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, told the Associated Press that the Gambian had flown home, while the Nigerians were transported by bus.
However, lawyers for four of the Nigerians disputed the official account.
They argued in court filings and interviews with AP that their clients were still being held in a Ghanaian facility.
Ofosu denied the claim, insisting that none of the deportees remained in Ghana. “Nobody is being held in any camp, and no rights have been abused,” he said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria addressed frustrations over non-refundable visa fees.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the mission said visa payments cover processing costs whether or not applications are approved.
“We hear your concerns regarding U.S. visa fees. Like most countries, the fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Each application is reviewed thoroughly and fairly. For best results, prepare carefully and use the resources on our website,” the statement read.
The deportation case has triggered heated debate in diplomatic and migration circles.
Analysts say the U.S. move raises questions about respect for international protocols, while Nigeria’s firm response signals growing insistence on protecting its citizens abroad.
As deportation controversies grow across the globe, the Nigerian government has vowed to keep a close watch on how foreign governments treat its nationals.
For many citizens, the case underscores the need for stronger diplomatic pressure and migration agreements that prevent similar incidents.