Envoy charges Nigeria, Ghana on trans-border crimes

Onafowokan while acknowledging the enormous trade and investment opportunities between the sister countries urged the two governments to stand up to crimes along the coast to actualize their full economic potentials.Addressing guests at a reception Tuesday night to mark Nigeria’s 53rd independence anniversary in Accra, the Nigerian envoy took a swipe at criminals from the […]

Onafowokan while acknowledging the enormous trade and investment opportunities between the sister countries urged the two governments to stand up to crimes along the coast to actualize their full economic potentials.
Addressing guests at a reception Tuesday night to mark Nigeria’s 53rd independence anniversary in Accra, the Nigerian envoy took a swipe at criminals from the two countries.
“It is unfortunate, it seems the criminal elements in Nigeria and Ghana are exploiting the free movement of goods are services in the sub-region under the aegis of ECOWAS and the attendant weaknesses along our borders to carry out their nefarious activities, especially in the enterprise trafficking young girls to Europe for prostitution”,  he said.
Between November, 2012 and September, 2013 over 70 Nigerian girls were rescued from human traffickers in Ghana through joint efforts of security agencies from both countries, he said, adding that girls were given Ghanaian names with Ghanaian passports to facilitate their transit to Europe.
Other security challenges, the envoy listed were drug trafficking, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and oil bunkering, as well as money laundering.
Earlier, the High Commissioner hosted the swearing in of the first ever elected executive of the All Nigerian Community (ANC) in Ghana.  Later at a reception organized by the ANC, he urged Nigerians to be law-abiding as he expressed confidence in the indivisibility of the country.
“I want you to be proud of your country and I want to urge you to raise your heads very high, because despite all our challenges, I think it is a great day in our country. The sun will never set on Nigeria. I think Nigeria will remain and continue to be prosperous,” he said as he counselled Nigerians living in Ghana to be of exemplary conduct.
 “I want to urge you all to stay out of the politics of Ghana. Support the government and people of Ghana to the best of your ability because this is the government that is giving you abode at the moment”, he said.