The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has successfully rescued 13 Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana, bringing the total number of repatriated trafficking victims to 163 within the past five months.
This operation was made possible through coordinated efforts involving Ghanaian authorities, non-governmental organizations, and NiDCOM, highlighting the ongoing battle against human trafficking in the region.
Rescue Efforts and Collaboration
In a statement released on Friday, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, detailed the latest rescue mission. The operation was executed in collaboration with the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, the Rescue Live Foundation International, and NIDO Ghana.
The 13 rescued girls, aged between 19 and 30, hail from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers states in Nigeria. They were lured to Ghana with false promises of lucrative employment opportunities but instead found themselves in exploitative conditions. The traffickers reportedly subjected them to oaths of secrecy while profiting from their ordeal.
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NiDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed gratitude to First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru for their support in facilitating the safe return of the victims. She also commended the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit and Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, for their pivotal roles in the rescue and in holding the traffickers accountable.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of Nigerians in the diaspora under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes combating human trafficking.
The Victims’ Journey Home
The girls willingly surrendered themselves after hearing about previous rescue operations in Ghana’s Kpone Katamanso and Tema regions. Upon their return to Nigeria, they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa explained that the girls were sheltered temporarily in Ghana before their repatriation. “With the help of Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, they were provided with a safe haven and emotional support until arrangements for their return were finalized,” he said.
Government Response
Ebonyi State Governor’s representative, Valentine Okike Uzo, expressed the state government’s commitment to caring for its indigenes, both at home and abroad. He assured that appropriate measures were being taken to ensure the proper rehabilitation of the victims from Ebonyi State.
Call to Action
This latest operation underscores the importance of international collaboration in combating human trafficking. NiDCOM called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
The Commission affirmed its dedication to addressing trafficking challenges and supporting affected Nigerians, emphasizing its zero-tolerance stance against human trafficking and exploitation.
