As 12 rescued Nigerian workers alleged sexual abuse and 11 months of unpaid wages by their Chinese employers in the Central African Republic (CAR), the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has assured them of justice.
Receiving the returnees at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned the reported abuse as “inhumane” and vowed that the matter would be pursued in collaboration with relevant government agencies in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s citizen diplomacy agenda.
“Justice will be served. No Nigerian should be subjected to such dehumanising treatment anywhere in the world,” Dabiri-Erewa stated, urging the returnees to support NIDCOM’s advocacy against irregular migration.
The rescue followed a viral video appeal from the stranded workers about three weeks ago, which triggered swift intervention from the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NIDCOM, the Nigerian mission in Bangui, NEMA, and the Immigration Service. The men, who had endured 20 months of hardship at remote mining sites, were relocated to Bangui, given medical care, and flown home.
Speaking on behalf of the group, leader Igorigo Freeborn alleged that they were homosexually abused, denied their wages, and abandoned in unsafe conditions. He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, NIDCOM, and all agencies involved in their rescue.
NIDCOM provided cash support to each returnee to aid reintegration, while Perchstone & Greys, on behalf of the JAALS Foundation, also donated funds to support their resettlement.
The rescued workers are Igorigo Freeborn, Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun, Olayemi Peter Adewale, Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala, and Yusuf Bameyi.
