NIDO, High Commission for Rescue of 17 People in Ghana and Arrest of Traffickers

Another 17 young girls trafficked into Ghana were rescued and returned to Nigeria and 5 traffickers were arrested in Ghana with the help of the Ghana Anti-Trafficking Police, Ghana NIDO and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.

Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has thanked the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (CON), for her unwavering support in facilitating the return of the girls.

Recognizing the important role played by Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, Chairman of BOT, the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) Ghana Chapter and the Ghana Police Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, as well as the Honorable Nigerian High Commission. Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between the two countries in the fight against human traffickers.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope program is aimed at combating human trafficking and protecting the rights of Nigerian citizens both at home and in the diaspora, according to the NiDCOM chief.

Further, the Chairman/CEO said that the rescued girls and traffickers were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for proper rehabilitation and onward transfer to various states.

The rescued girls, aged between 18 and 29 years, hailing from different states of Nigeria, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo and Ebonyi, were lured to Ghana under false promises of employment, but then forced to endure sexual exploitation. reached Ghana and were forced to take an oath of secrecy and fidelity

She noted that there are still many victims of human trafficking waiting to be rescued.

Williams Ayarega, Director, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Criminal Investigation Department, Ghana Police Service, commended the work of NiDCOM under the leadership of Hon. To Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her unwavering commitment to saving these girls and most importantly for helping to arrest and prosecute the traffickers: “For years, traffickers have had a good time because no one comes after them. We are happy to collaborate, that is why we have been successful, let me say it again, Ghana is not a safe place for human traffickers and human trafficking,” he said.

“On October 24, we launched an operation in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, Ghana. During the operation, 5 traffickers were arrested and these victims were rescued during the operation, making this one of the largest arrests in a single operation.” said Mr. Akinboye Akinsola, who represented NiDCOM and escorted them home after which they were handed over to Naptip.

According to Chief Calistus, “One of the two returned boys was released from prison with the help of NIDO Ghana during their visit to the Ghana prison and after undergoing rehabilitation in Ghana, the NiDCOM team decided to return him back to his state. , Anambra, and reunite with his family.