In a significant breakthrough in the fight against human trafficking, seven young Nigerian girls, aged between 18 and 29, have been rescued from exploitation in Ghana and successfully returned to Nigeria. The operation, which led to the arrest of five traffickers, was carried out in collaboration with the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), praised the efforts of all parties involved in the rescue mission, particularly acknowledging the support of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in facilitating the girls’ return. “The collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana is crucial in the fight against human trafficking,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
The girls were reportedly lured to Ghana under false promises of employment but found themselves subjected to sexual exploitation upon arrival. They were coerced into taking an oath of non-disclosure and allegiance to their traffickers. The rescued victims hailed from various states across Nigeria, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the Nigerian government’s commitment to combating human trafficking through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which aims to protect the rights of Nigerian citizens both domestically and abroad. She confirmed that the rescued girls and the apprehended traffickers have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and legal proceedings.
Akinboye Akinsola, a NiDCOM representative who participated in the rescue operation, provided details about the mission. “On October 24th, we embarked on an operation in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, Ghana, where we arrested five human traffickers and rescued the victims,” he said, noting that this operation marked one of the highest arrests in a single intervention.
Dabiri-Erewa also raised concerns about the ongoing human trafficking crisis, stating, “There are still many more victims waiting to be rescued.” The collaborative efforts between Nigeria and Ghana highlight the importance of international cooperation in addressing the challenges of human trafficking and safeguarding vulnerable populations.
