Thirteen young Nigerian women, trafficked to Ghana with false promises of employment, have been rescued and repatriated, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) revealed on Friday.
This marks the latest operation in a coordinated effort to combat human trafficking, bringing the total number of Nigerian girls rescued from Ghana in the last five months to 163.
The victims, aged 19 to 30, hail from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers states. They were lured with job offers but forced into exploitative conditions and bound by oaths of secrecy.
“These young women willingly sought help after learning about earlier rescue missions,” said Akinboye Akinsola, a NiDCOM representative who accompanied them back to Nigeria.
The operation was a collaborative effort involving Ghana’s Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Rescue Live Foundation International, NIDO Ghana, and NiDCOM. The girls were safely returned over the weekend and handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration.
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Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NiDCOM’s Chairperson, expressed gratitude to key supporters, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, for facilitating the rescue. “This reflects our commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes combating human trafficking,” she stated.
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa of Rescue Live Foundation International noted that the girls were provided shelter before their repatriation. “We remain dedicated to offering aid to victims and ensuring traffickers face justice,” Elozieuwa added. Governor Nwifuru’s Senior Special Assistant, Valentine Okike Uzo, assured that proper rehabilitation plans are in place for the victims.
NiDCOM pledged continued efforts to safeguard the rights and dignity of Nigerians at home and abroad. This operation highlights the urgent need for vigilance in preventing trafficking and supporting victims.
