2 weeks Ago By Ado Oyeyemi
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), in collaboration with the Nigeria in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), has rescued 200 Nigerian girls from trafficking networks in the past four months. This was revealed by NIDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa on Thursday in Lagos, while receiving three recently rescued girls from Ghana. The victims include two cousins, aged 17 and 19, from Bayelsa State, and an 18-year-old from Akwa Ibom.
Dabiri-Erewa credited the rescue operations to cooperation between NIDO Ghana, NAPTIP, the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, Ghanaian Police, and the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria. She expressed concern over the continued rise in trafficking cases despite ongoing awareness campaigns. “Parents must stay vigilant.
Most times, traffickers are familiar people who persuade the victims to keep things secret from their families,” she said. According to her, the girls were rescued with the support of NIDO Ghana Chairman, Chief Calistus Elozieuwa. Four suspected traffickers involved in this particular case have been arrested and will face prosecution.
The rescued victims will be profiled by NAPTIP and later reunited with their families for rehabilitation. Dabiri-Erewa confirmed that ten more trafficking victims remain in Ghana and are expected to return soon. She emphasized the need for sustained public education to combat human trafficking.
“We support agencies with logistics and work to help victims rebuild their lives,” she said. One of the girls shared her story, revealing that her aunt lured her and her cousin to Ghana with promises of boutique and bar jobs. After a day’s rest, they were forced into prostitution but refused.
They eventually escaped and were taken to a police station by a passerby before being handed over to Nigerian authorities. Another victim from Akwa Ibom said she was promised a job in a supermarket but was instead forced into sex work. After enduring beatings for refusing, she eventually gave in—until one of the victims escaped and returned with police to rescue the rest.
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