- Eight additional Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana have been rescued and returned, following the earlier return of 105 girls
- The rescued girls, aged 15 to 22, were lured with false employment promises and forced into sexual exploitation in Ghana
Eight additional Nigerian girls, who were trafficked to Ghana, have been rescued and safely returned to Nigeria. This rescue follows the earlier return of 105 girls.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), expressed gratitude to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for facilitating their return during a reception in Lagos.
Gabriel Odu, NiDCOM’s spokesperson, revealed in a statement that the rescued girls have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). This will ensure they receive proper care and accommodation until they are fully rehabilitated and reintegrated with their families.
The rescued girls, aged 15 to 22, come from various Nigerian states, including Ebonyi, Akwa-Ibom, Imo, Plateau, and Cross River. They were lured to Ghana under the false promise of employment but were instead forced into sexual exploitation.
Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged that many victims of trafficking are still awaiting rescue. She thanked Ghanaian security agencies for their collaboration. She highlighted the contributions of Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, President of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana, the Nigerian embassy in Ghana, and the Interpol Units of Nigeria and Ghana.
She emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is committed to fighting human trafficking and protecting Nigerian citizens worldwide.
Additionally, the statement mentioned that one of the traffickers, 28-year-old Nigerian Ms. Favour Ugwu, was arrested and sentenced to eight years in prison by a Ghanaian court for human trafficking.