In a recent interview with Accomplish Magazine, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, discussed the significance of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and its impact on government. She also shared her personal experiences with the magazine. During the interview, she highlighted NiDCOM’s rescue missions in Libya, Indonesia, and other countries.
On June 9, 2024, ten Nigerian girls recently rescued from human traffickers in Ghana are now in safe custody and receiving care, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. The girls, eight from Imo State and two from Plateau State were freed after the arrest of the suspect, who is currently in security custody.
The girls, aged 15 to 18, were lured into prostitution in Ghana, as reported in a series of videos that went viral on X on Friday. The Nigerians conducted the rescue operation in Diaspora Organisation in Ghana.
In a statement signed by the commission’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on Saturday, Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed her gratitude to the Ghana Board of Trustees Chairman of NIDCOM, Callistus Elozieuwa, and the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana. She emphasized that their efforts ensured the safety and well-being of the trafficked girls.
While commending the successful rescue operation, Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the ongoing issue of human trafficking. She stressed the importance of continued vigilance and the need to apprehend, name, and shame traffickers to curb this menace.
The rescued girls are scheduled to return to Nigeria next week. Upon their arrival, they will be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the agency responsible for handling trafficking cases.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern that while these girls were being rescued, more are probably still being trafficked, noting that traffickers need to be arrested, named, and shamed. The girls are expected to return to Nigeria next week and will be handed over to NAPTIP, the agency in charge of trafficking.