Saturday, November 16, 2024-No fewer that 13 Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana have been rescued.
The latest rescue brings the total number of trafficked victims brought
back home since July 2024 to 163.
The spokesperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM)
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, November 15,
said the girls were brought back to Nigeria over the weekend.
“The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission 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," the statement
read.
“Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back
to Nigeria over the weekend."
The operation was carried out through a collaborative effort involving
the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Rescue Live Foundation
International and NIDO Ghana, with the support of NiDCOM.
The rescued girls, aged between 19 and 30 years, were reportedly lured
to Ghana under the pretence of employment opportunities but were instead
trapped in exploitative conditions.
Speaking on the latest rescue effort, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike
Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her appreciation for the coordinated efforts that made
the operation possible.
"She
thanked the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor,
Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in supporting the repatriation process.
“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 said.
“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.”
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,” the
statement added.
A NiDCOM representative who accompanied the victims back to Nigeria,
Akinboye Akinsola, noted that the girls surrendered voluntarily after hearing
of prior rescue missions in Kpone Katamanso and Tema, Ghana.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Rescue Live Foundation
International/NIDO Ghana, Callistus Elozieuwa, explained that the
organisation provided temporary shelter for the victims before facilitating
their safe return.
He highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating
trafficking networks.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Ebonyi governor, Valentine Uzo,
assured that the state government had already put measures in place for the
proper rehabilitation and reintegration of the rescued girls.
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