In a recent rescue operation, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) brought back 17 Nigerian women who were trafficked to Ghana. These women, aged between 18 and 29, were lured from Nigeria with false promises of good jobs. Instead, they were exploited and kept silent through coercive oaths. This successful operation highlights NiDCOM’s commitment to fighting human trafficking and supporting Nigerians abroad.
The rescue was carried out with help from the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra. During the operation, five suspects involved in the trafficking network were arrested. This effort is part of a series of rescue missions, and since July 2024, a total of 130 Nigerian women have been brought back from Ghana.
The rescued women, who come from various states in Nigeria, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi, were received by NiDCOM’s representative, Akinboye Akinsola, upon their return to Nigeria. NiDCOM handed them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for proper rehabilitation and reintegration into society. NAPTIP provides victims with counseling, education, and training to help them rebuild their lives.
Williams Ayaregah, director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in the Ghana Police Service, emphasized that Ghana will no longer tolerate human trafficking activities. He assured that swift action would be taken against any trafficking networks operating within the country. Ayaregah’s statement reflects Ghana’s commitment to ending human trafficking in collaboration with Nigerian authorities.
NiDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her gratitude to Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for her support in the rescue operations. She also acknowledged the efforts of the Ghanaian authorities and NIDO Ghana in these missions. Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed that NiDCOM will continue to protect Nigerians abroad, in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on improving the welfare and safety of Nigerians both at home and abroad.
In addition to the women, two young Nigerian men were also repatriated. One of them had been in a Ghanaian prison, but thanks to the assistance of NIDO Ghana, he received support and has been reunited with his family in Anambra State. This case underscores NiDCOM’s broader commitment to helping all Nigerians in distress outside the country.
NiDCOM’s ongoing rescue missions and collaborations with local and foreign authorities highlight their dedication to combating human trafficking and protecting Nigerians everywhere.
