Operatives of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) have rescued and returned seventeen (17) young Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana.
Gatekeepers News reports that the operatives of the commission also arrested five traffickers involved in the operation.
This was announced through a statement released by Director of the Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit at NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun on Sunday.
According to the commission; the latest rescue operation brought 130 girls repatriated back to Nigeria from Ghana alone since July 2024.
It noted that the successful operation was sequel to the combined and coordinated efforts of Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.
Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed gratitude to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (CON), for her support in facilitating the safe return of the young girls to the country.
She also commended the vital roles played by Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of NIDO Ghana, and Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in bringing the traffickers to justice.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the Diaspora under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritised combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens at home and in the Diaspora.
NiDCOM noted that the rescued young girls, ages 18 to 29, come from various states, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi.
The victims were lured to Ghana under false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed her determination to the rescue of those still trafficked in conjunction with various stakeholders, noting that many more trafficked Nigerians are still awaiting rescue.
Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Mr. Williams Ayaregah praised NiDCOM’s efforts under Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s leadership.
He said, “More than ever, traffickers must realise that Ghana is no longer a haven.”
The operation in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, resulted in one of the most significant single-operation arrests, with five traffickers apprehended.”
Mr Akinboye Akinsola, representing NiDCOM, played a critical role in escorting the rescued women back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa also noted that two young men, including one previously detained in a Ghanaian prison, were also repatriated.
The statement concluded, “With NIDO Ghana’s assistance, the young man underwent rehabilitation and returned to his home state, Anambra, for family reintegration.”
“This cross-national effort underscores NiDCOM’s dedication to eradicating human trafficking and highlights the importance of international collaboration to protect Nigerians abroad.”
