A Nigerian man recently deported from the United States has reported being stranded in a hotel in Togo after being secretly transferred there by Ghanaian authorities. He stated that he and five other deportees were told they would be moved to improved accommodations but were instead “dumped” in Togo without proper documentation. The US government had deported these individuals, including nationals from other West African countries, as part of its immigration enforcement measures.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had previously emphasized that the deportation was accepted in the spirit of “pan-African empathy.” The Nigerian man, who requested anonymity for his safety, alleged that Ghanaian officers facilitated their unauthorized entry into Togo through back channels, reportedly bribing local police in the process. The Togolese government has not commented on the matter.
The group, consisting of three Nigerians and a Liberian, checked into a hotel in Lomé, the capital of Togo, relying on hotel staff to help them receive money from relatives overseas to pay for their stay. They lack necessary documents, which has made basic survival difficult. The Nigerian man noted that while they had been requesting better living conditions at a military camp in Ghana, their situation has worsened since their unexpected transfer.
In addition to coping with the challenges of living without proper documentation, the language barrier has complicated their efforts to communicate and navigate their new environment. The Nigerian individual highlighted that his deportation has had repercussions for his family in the US, where he is responsible for mortgage payments and other obligations.
The US has not provided a reason for his deportation. He expressed fear for his safety if returned to Nigeria, having been affiliated with a political activist group. Legal action is being pursued against both the US and Ghanaian governments to address the alleged violations of rights.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33rllxnm35o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss