It was a heartbreaking moment when 12 Nigerian workers who were trapped in the Central African Republic (CAR) shared their painful experiences of abuse in the hands of their Chinese employers.
They revealed that apart from being denied their salaries, they were also sexually abused during their time of suffering.
The group of men had earlier cried out for help in a viral video about three weeks ago. On finally arriving back in Nigeria, they visited the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) office in Abuja, where they were warmly received by the Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Friday, August 15.
Speaking on behalf of the group, their leader, Igorigo Freeborn, explained that they were owed 11 months of unpaid salaries while also facing sexual abuse from their Chinese bosses in CAR.
He said, “I am not ashamed to say this because I want people to learn from it. We were treated badly, but God kept us alive to tell our story. At first, I didn’t believe anything good could come from Nigeria, but we were happy when our country came to our rescue.”
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, NIDCOM, NEMA,
Immigration Service, and other agencies for stepping in to save them quickly. Freeborn further pleaded with the government to help them get justice for the wrongs done to them.
The workers recalled how they suffered for nearly 20 months in CAR, abandoned in the forest without food or shelter, and left in very unsafe conditions.
With the intervention of Nigerian authorities, they were moved to Bangui, given medical treatment, and later brought back safely home.
While welcoming them back, NIDCOM boss Abike Dabiri-Erewa assured the workers that the Nigerian government will take up their case and fight for justice.
She condemned the cruel treatment they suffered and promised that it would not be ignored, in line with President Tinubu’s policy of protecting Nigerians abroad.
She also advised the returnees to stay disciplined and support NIDCOM in creating awareness about the dangers of irregular migration, so that others would not fall victim to similar situations.
As part of their reintegration, Dabiri-Erewa gave the men some financial support while they wait for their unpaid wages. She also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies to help the workers settle back into society.
The rescued Nigerians include: Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun, Olayemi Peter Adewale, Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala, Yusuf Bameyi, and group leader Igorigo Freeborn.
