KEY POINTS
- Seventeen Nigerian women rescued from trafficking in Ghana.
- NiDCOM collaborated with Ghanaian authorities in the operation.
- Five traffickers arrested; survivors are now in NAPTIP’s care.
A coordinated effort by Ghanaian and Nigerian officials has resulted in the rescue and return of 17 Nigerian women who were trafficked to Ghana and the arrest of five traffickers.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) highlighted the predicament of the women, who were between the ages of 18 and 29, who were enticed from different Nigerian states with false promises of employment and proclaimed the successful rescue and repatriation effort.
Collaboration with Ghanaian authorities
The operation was carried out in cooperation with the Nigerian High Commission in Accra, the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) Ghana, and Ghana’s Anti-Human Trafficking Police, according to Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media and Public Relations for NiDCOM.
Since July 2024, 130 women have been repatriated from Ghana as a result of this most recent operation. After arriving in Ghana, the women encountered exploitative circumstances and were cautioned to keep their experience private.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of NiDCOM, praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, for her assistance in ensuring the young women’s safe return.
Dabiri-Erewa also commended Ghana’s Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit and Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, the chairman of NIDO Ghana’s Board of Trustees, for their commitment to justice for the victims.
Reaffirming commitment to anti-trafficking goals
NiDCOM’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerians abroad in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was reiterated by Dabiri-Erewa.
According to Punch, she underlined that the organization is still committed to fighting human trafficking and protecting Nigerian residents’ rights both domestically and internationally.
Since many Nigerians who have been trafficked are still waiting to be rescued, the chairman of NiDCOM emphasized the importance of continued help from stakeholders.
Five people were arrested as a result of the operation, which was conducted in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, and produced one of the biggest single-operation arrests.
The survivors were sent to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration after being assisted in being escorted back to Nigeria by NiDCOM agent Akinboye Akinsola.
Additionally, two Nigerian men were sent home, one of whom had been held in a Ghanaian prison.
