The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has revealed how thirteen Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Ghana have been rescued.
According to the Commission, the rescue brings the total repatriated girls back to the country within five months to 163.
This was contained in a statement by NiDCOM Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on Friday.
Giving the breakdown of the rescued ladies, Balogun said, “Among the 163 included, the 13 girls were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend.”
The statement stated that the rescue “operation was a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police. The Rescue Live Foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NiDCOM.”
PRESS RELEASE READ:
HUMAN TRAFFICKING: 13 MORE GIRLS TRAFFICKED TO GHANA RETURN, AS NIDCOM SAYS 163 TRAFFICKED VICTIMS RESCUED SINCE JULY
ABUJA, NOV. 14, 2024
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) 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.
Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend.
The rescued operation was as a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, The Rescue Live Foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NIDCOM.
Speaking on the latest efforts, the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her gratitude to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Governor Francis Nwifuru for their support in facilitating the safe return of the girls back to the country.
Dabiri-Erewa 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 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.
According to a statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the rescued young girls ages are between 19 to 30 years. And they are from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers States.
Balogun noted that girls were lured to Ghana under the false promises of employment. But they were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy. While the traffickers are making money off the dastardly act.
According to NiDCOM representative, Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the ladies back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration stated that these set of ladies surrendered themselves willingly. This is after they heard of the earlier operation conducted in Kpone Katamanso and Tema.
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa said with Rescue live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana’s assistance, the ladies were provided shelter for some days. After which, they all willingly indicated their interest to come back home.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Ebonyi State, Valentine Okike Uzo, thanked the Governor for his willingness to bring the ladies back home. An act which is in line with his efforts to care for all Ebonyi indigenes both home and in the Diaspora.
He assured that all efforts are in place to ensure a proper rehabilitation for the victims from Ebonyi State.
e-Signed.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun (mnipr)
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NIDCOM, Abuja
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