The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) for rescuing Nigerian miners stranded in the Central African Republic (CAR) and moving them to the safety of the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui.
MURIC’s commendation was contained in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Tuesday, 12 August 2025.
According to the group, a viral video surfaced recently showing the miners calling for urgent help after allegedly being tricked into travelling to CAR for mining jobs. They were reportedly recruited by a Chinese national and a Nigerian agent, but were abandoned without pay for 11 months.
“The stranded Nigerians were swiftly rescued through the intervention of NIDCOM under the able and dynamic leadership of Abike Dabiri-Erewa, its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,” the statement read.
MURIC also praised the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui and security agencies in CAR for locating the miners and escorting them to safety, noting that the embassy staff displayed commendable hospitality.
However, the group stressed that the rescue mission would not be complete until the miners are brought home. It called on the Federal Government, philanthropists, Nigerian airlines, business moguls, and international organisations such as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to assist in facilitating their return.
MURIC further urged authorities to arrest and prosecute the Nigerian agent involved in the scam and to collaborate with Interpol to track the alleged Chinese accomplice.
“No Nigerian deserves to go through this type of hardship,” the statement added.
