Human trafficking: 17 Nigerian girls rescued, repatriated from Ghana

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has announced a significant achievement in combating human trafficking, as 17 girls trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana have been successfully rescued and repatriated.

This latest operation has increased the total number of repatriated girls to 130 since July 2024. In a parallel effort, five individuals involved in the trafficking network have been apprehended.

The successful rescue operation was a result of coordinated efforts between the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.

The girls, aged between 18 and 29, hail from various Nigerian states, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi.

They were reportedly lured to Ghana with false promises of employment, only to find themselves trapped in exploitative conditions, bound by a forced oath of secrecy.

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In a statement released on Sunday, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media and Public Relations for NiDCOM, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made this rescue possible.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, specifically thanked Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her support in ensuring the safe return of the girls.

She also acknowledged the crucial roles played by Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, the Board of Trustees Chairman of NIDO Ghana, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in bringing the traffickers to justice.

Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the fight against human trafficking and the safeguarding of Nigerian citizens’ rights both at home and abroad.

AShe expressed determination to continue rescuing those still caught in trafficking situations and highlighted the ongoing need for collaboration among various stakeholders, emphasizing that many more trafficked Nigerians are still awaiting rescue.

Mr. Williams Ayaregah, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, praised the efforts of NiDCOM under Dabiri-Erewa’s leadership.

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He stated, “More than ever, traffickers must realize that Ghana is no longer a safe haven.” The operation, conducted in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, marked one of the largest single operations against trafficking, resulting in the arrest of five suspects.

Mr. Akinboye Akinsola, representing NiDCOM, played a pivotal role in escorting the rescued women back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration.

Additionally, Chief Elozieuwa noted that two young men were also repatriated, including one who had previously been detained in a Ghanaian prison. With NIDO Ghana’s support, this individual underwent rehabilitation and has now returned to his home state of Anambra for family reintegration.

This cross-national operation underscores NiDCOM’s dedication to eradicating human trafficking and highlights the critical importance of international collaboration in protecting Nigerians abroad.