The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has announced that ten Nigerian girls, victims of human trafficking in Ghana, have been rescued and are currently under protection. The victims, primarily from Imo and Plateau states, were liberated following the detention of a trafficking suspect.
The rescue mission, which has garnered public attention through viral videos, was spearheaded by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in Ghana. These efforts come in the wake of reports that the young girls, aged between 15 and 18 years, had been deceitfully enticed into prostitution.
NIDCOM’s Chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, through the commission’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, extended appreciation to Callistus Elozieuwa, the Ghana Board of Trustees Chairman of NIDCOM, and the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana for ensuring the well-being of the individuals involved.
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Praising the swift and effective operation, Dabiri-Erewa also emphasized the ongoing battle against human trafficking, insisting on the importance of relentless efforts to identify and severely penalize traffickers.
The commission has scheduled the return of the girls to Nigeria for the following week. They will be entrusted to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), which specializes in dealing with trafficking cases.
“Dabiri-Erewa has iterated her concern that while a group has been saved, more young girls are likely still exposed to trafficking risks and insisted on the importance of arresting and publicly denouncing traffickers,” the statement provided to Africa Today News, New York.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the perils of human trafficking and underscores the collaborative commitment needed to combat this exploitation.