No fewer than 231 Nigerian boys and girls trafficked to Ghana have been rescued and brought back to the country through a coordinated effort led by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NIDCOM while confirming the development, said in a statement that the victims were lured with false promises of lucrative jobs but forced into internet fraud using provided laptops.
Dominic Mensah, Head of Human Trafficking at Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), explained that the victims were found during a raid on an estate. “We got intelligence on the location two weeks ago and struck last week. We found underage youths and adults held there. Some were sick, and to prevent a humanitarian crisis, the Ghanaian government decided to repatriate them back to Nigeria,” Mensah stated. The operation led to the arrest of 27 suspected traffickers.
Subsequently, NIDCOM, supported by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Wema Bank, facilitated the victims’ immediate return. The victims, aged 15 to 38, were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for profiling and support.
Balogun’s statement noted, “The estate owner where the victims were held is currently undergoing trial in Ghana, with assurance that all those involved in the trafficking network will be arrested and prosecuted. The victims, whose ages range from 15 to 38 years, has Edo State topping the list with 76 indigenes, Anambra 6, Delta 17, Bayelsa 13, Imo 19, Enugu 12, Ebonyi 8, Cross River 7, Abia 9, Niger 4, Akwa Ibom 3, Kogi 6, Ondo 1, and one person from Osun.”
In Lagos, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa welcomed the victims, urging them not to feel ashamed. “You are being received on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. The President cares about you and every Nigerian, regardless of where you reside. Hold your heads high. For those who want to return to school or learn a trade, support will be provided through your state governments,” she assured.
She thanked Oluremi Tinubu, Wema Bank, Callistus Elozieuwa (NIDO Ghana BOT Chairman), Nigerian High Commissioner Adeoye, and Airtel for their support, including transport costs, financial aid, and starter packs for victims with National Identification Numbers (NIN).
Moreover, Dabiri-Erewa stressed the government’s commitment to prosecuting traffickers. “They will not go scot-free. Traffickers will be punished. NAPTIP and other agencies will help you reintegrate and find jobs. You have a bright future ahead,” she said, urging state governments to assist victims.
Similarly, NAPTIP Zonal Commander Comfort Agboka confirmed that victims would be profiled, and suspects transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
