Thirteen Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Ghana have been rescued, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said.
The agency said their rescue brings “the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163”.
In a statement by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM gave a breakdown of the rescued ladies.
“Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend,” the Friday statement said.
It said the rescue “operation was a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, The Rescue Live Foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NiDCOM.”
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW
PRESS RELEASE
HUMAN TRAFFICKING: 13 MORE GIRLS TRAFFICKED TO GHANA RETURN, AS NIDCOM SAYS 163 TRAFFICKED VICTIMS RESCUED SINCE JULY
ABUJA, NOV. 14, 2024
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) alongside other stakeholders have rescued another set of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana thus bringing the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163.
Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend.
The rescued operation was as a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police , The Rescue live foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NIDCOM.
Speaking on the latest efforts, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), expressed her gratitude to the First Lady , Senator Oluremi Tinubu , the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Governor Francis Nwifuru for their support in facilitating the safe return of the girls back to the country.
She also commended the vital roles played by Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman (Rescue live foundation International/NIDO Ghana), and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in bringing the traffickers to justice.
She reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which gave priority to combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens at home and in the Diaspora.
A statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that the rescued young girls, ages 19 to 30 years, are from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers states.
They were lured to Ghana under the false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy, while the traffickers are making money off the dastardly act.
NiDCOM representative, Mr Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the ladies back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration said these set of ladies surrendered themselves willingly , having heard of the ealier operation conducted in Kpone Katamanso and Tema.
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa said with Rescue live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana’s assistance, the ladies were provided shelter for some days after they all willingly indicated their interest to come back home.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr Valentine Okike Uzo, thanked the Governor for his willingness to bring the ladies back home which in line with his efforts to care for all Ebonyi indigenes both home and in the Diaspora.
He assured that all efforts are in place to ensure a proper rehabilitation for the victims from Ebonyi state.
e-Signed.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun (mnipr)
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NIDCOM, Abuja.