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No fewer that 13 Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana have been rescued.
The latest rescue brings the total number of trafficked victims brought back home since July 2024 to 163.
The spokesperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Abdur-Rahman Balogun, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, November 15, said the girls were brought back to Nigeria over the weekend.
“The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission alongside other stakeholders have rescued another set of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana, thus bringing the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163,” the statement read.
“Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend.”
The operation was carried out through a collaborative effort involving the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Rescue Live Foundation International and NIDO Ghana, with the support of NiDCOM.
The rescued girls, aged between 19 and 30 years, were reportedly lured to Ghana under the pretence of employment opportunities but were instead trapped in exploitative conditions.
Speaking on the latest rescue effort, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her appreciation for the coordinated efforts that made the operation possible.
“She thanked the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in supporting the repatriation process.
“She also commended the vital roles played by Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman (Rescue live foundation International/NIDO Ghana), and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in bringing the traffickers to justice,” she said.
“She reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which gave priority to combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens at home and in the Diaspora.”
The rescued young girls, ages 19 to 30 years, are from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers states.
“They were lured to Ghana under the false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy, while the traffickers are making money off the dastardly act,” the statement added.
A NiDCOM representative who accompanied the victims back to Nigeria, Akinboye Akinsola, noted that the girls surrendered voluntarily after hearing of prior rescue missions in Kpone Katamanso and Tema, Ghana.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, Callistus Elozieuwa, explained that the organisation provided temporary shelter for the victims before facilitating their safe return.
He highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating trafficking networks.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Ebonyi governor, Valentine Uzo, assured that the state government had already put measures in place for the proper rehabilitation and reintegration of the rescued girls.
