October 29, 2024

NiDCOM Rescues 17 More Trafficked Girls, 5 Traffickers Arrested in Ghana

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By Sola Akingboye, 28 October, 2024

The Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has expressed her gratitude to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (CON), for her support in facilitating the safe return of no less than seventeen trafficked young girls back to the country from Ghana while commending the vital roles played by Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of NIDO Ghana, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in bringing the traffickers to justice.

The press statement by the Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, revealed that seventeen young Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana have been rescued and repatriated back to the country while five traffickers were equally arrested.

This latest rescue operation, according to the report, brought 130 girls repatriated back to Nigeria from Ghana alone since July 2024.

“This was a sequel to the combined and
coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.”

Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Dr Erewa, reiterated that 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 Commission on Sunday stated that the rescued young girls, ages 18 to 29 years, come from various states, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi.

“They were lured to Ghana under false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy.

“Dabiri-Erewa expressed her determination to rescue those still trafficked in conjunction with various stakeholders, noting that many more trafficked Nigerians are still awaiting rescue.

“Mr Williams Ayaregah, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, praised NiDCOM’s efforts under Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s leadership.

He said, “More than ever, traffickers must realise that Ghana is no longer a haven.”

“The operation, conducted in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, resulted in one of the largest single- operation arrests, with five traffickers apprehended.

“Mr Akinboye Akinsola, representing NiDCOM, played a critical role in escorting the rescued women back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration.

“Chief Callistus Elozieuwa added that two young men were also repatriated, including one who was previously detained in Ghanaian prison.

“With NIDO Ghana’s assistance, the young man underwent rehabilitation and has now returned to his home state, Anambra, for family reintegration.

“This cross-national effort underscores NiDCOM’s dedication to eradicating human trafficking and highlights the importance of international collaboration to protect Nigerians abroad.” The statement revealed.

 

 

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