Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), expressed her deep appreciation to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (CON), for her steadfast support in the return of Nigerian girls rescued from human traffickers in Ghana. The rescue operation highlights the ongoing commitment of Nigerian authorities to protect citizens abroad through strategic partnerships.
Dr. Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana Chapter, as well as Ghana’s Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit, for their critical roles. The Nigerian High Commission in Ghana was also instrumental in the success of this cross-border collaboration to curb trafficking.
Expressing satisfaction with the strong cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda prioritizes the fight against human trafficking. She confirmed that the young women and the five arrested traffickers have been handed over to Nigeria’s National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and further legal action.
The rescued victims, aged between 18 and 29, hail from various states in Nigeria, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi. They were deceived with false promises of employment, only to face exploitation upon arrival in Ghana, where they were forced into a disturbing oath of secrecy and allegiance.
Williams Ayaregah, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit within Ghana’s Criminal Investigation Department, praised NiDCOM under Dr. Dabiri-Erewa’s leadership for its steadfast commitment. “For years, traffickers operated unchecked. Now, with this strong collaboration, Ghana is no longer a safe haven for human traffickers,” Ayaregah affirmed.
Highlighting the rescue, NiDCOM representative Mr. Akinboye Akinsola detailed the October 24 operation in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, Ghana, where five traffickers were detained, making it one of the most impactful operations to date.
Chief Callistus also spoke on behalf of a boy recently discharged from prison with NIDO Ghana’s help. NiDCOM ensured his return to Nigeria, where he will reunite with family in Anambra, marking a new chapter in his recovery journey.