The Federal Government has received 231 Nigerian youths who were trafficked to Ghana and recently rescued through a coordinated multi-agency effort, facilitated by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
The victims, a mix of boys and girls aged between 15 and 38 years, were lured with promises of lucrative jobs but were instead forced into internet fraud activities after being handed laptops. They were rescued during a raid carried out by Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
According to Dominic Mensah, Head of Human Trafficking at EOCO, 27 suspected traffickers were arrested during the operation, which was based on intelligence gathered two weeks earlier.
“We found underage youths and adults held in poor conditions. Some were already sick, and to prevent a humanitarian crisis, the Ghanaian government decided to facilitate their return to Nigeria,” Mensah said.
Following the rescue, NiDCOM, with the support of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Wema Bank, swiftly arranged the repatriation of the victims. Upon arrival in Lagos, they were officially handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further profiling and rehabilitation.
The breakdown of the rescued victims shows Edo State had the highest number with 76 victims, followed by Delta (17), Imo (19), Bayelsa (13), Enugu (12), Abia (9), Ebonyi (8), Cross River (7), Anambra (6), Kogi (6), Niger (4), Akwa Ibom (3), Ondo (1), and Osun (1).
Receiving the returnees, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, assured them of government’s support in rebuilding their lives.
“You are being welcomed home on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, who cares for every Nigerian, irrespective of where you reside. Hold your heads high. Support will be provided through your state governments for those willing to return to school or learn a trade,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
She expressed gratitude to the key stakeholders who facilitated the rescue and repatriation, including the First Lady, Wema Bank, Chief Callistus Elozieuwa (Chairman, BOT, NIDO Ghana), the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Adeoye, and Airtel, which provided starter packs for victims with National Identification Numbers (NIN).
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the Federal Government’s resolve to prosecute human traffickers, noting that they would be treated with the same severity as drug traffickers.
In her remarks, NAPTIP Zonal Commander Comfort Agboka said all victims would undergo thorough profiling while suspects would be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
The estate owner where the victims were held is already facing trial in Ghana, and authorities have promised that all members of the trafficking syndicate would be brought to justice.
