Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), visited 10 Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Ghana under the pretense of working as sales girls but were forced into prostitution. Dabiri-Erewa condemned the act of human trafficking following her intervention in the rescue operation.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Gabriel Odu from NiDCOM’s Public Relations Department, the girls, aged between 15 and 18, were liberated after a coordinated effort led to the arrest of the suspect responsible for their trafficking. Eight of the rescued girls hail from Imo State, while two are from Plateau State. The suspect is currently in custody.
The distressing situation came to light through a series of viral videos on Twitter, sparking swift action from the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in Ghana. During her visit, Dabiri-Erewa expressed her appreciation for the efforts of Chief Calistus Elozieuwa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NIDO in Ghana, and his team for their pivotal role in the rescue mission.
The successful operation was a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including representatives from the Imo State Government, the Eze Igbo of Ghana, and the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Adeoye Ifedayo.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the urgent need to combat human trafficking in Nigeria, stating, “We must declare a war against human traffickers.” She urged parents to vigilantly monitor their children’s activities and locations, and called for a collective effort to identify and prosecute traffickers.
The rescued girls will be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for counseling and rehabilitation before being returned to their home states. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking and the critical need for increased vigilance and cooperation to protect vulnerable individuals.
