SOARING KIDNAPPING CASES IN GHANA: Nigeria spare parts dealers mobbed, more than 20 shops closed at Suame Magazine

A group of angry men Monday afternoon violently closed down more than twenty shops operated by some Nigerian nationals at Suame Magazine, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti region.

The traders upon seeing angry men wielding machetes and other dangerous weapons bolted but they were pursued and those caught were physically assaulted.

Others sustained various injuries.

The attack was in connection with the recent involvement of some Nigerians in the soaring kidnapping cases in the country.
 
The attack on the Nigerian traders was reported to have started on Thursday, June 12 after national security personnel arrested three Nigerians and five Ghanaians in connection with the kidnapping of two Canadian girls.

On Monday, another Nigerian was nabbed in an attempt to kidnap a four year old boy at Mamobi in the Greater Accra region.

Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Traders Association, Chief Kizito Obiora, is appealed for security for Nigerian shop owners at Suame Magazine to prevent further attacks.

So far, No arrest has been made but the Ashanti Regional Police Command has commenced investigations into circumstances that led to the attacks.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana has condemned the attack on their nationals claiming the Ghanaian media has deliberately set an agenda to tarnish the image of Nigeria and it’s citizens.

A news release on Monday signed by the High Commissioner, ambassador Olufemi Michael Abikoye said the fraternal relationship between president Mahamadu Buhari and President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo can never be allowed to be jeopardized by xenophobic tendencies hence, anybody found culpable of any crime should be made to face his own action.

He also called for moderation in what they termed as media trial of Nigerian criminals in Ghana.