In a significant operation, 17 young Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana have been rescued and repatriated, with five traffickers apprehended.
This rescue, coordinated by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra, underscored the ongoing battle against human trafficking in the region, NiDCOM’s Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said.
She expressed her gratitude for the collaborative efforts that led to this success. “We are thankful for the support from Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as well as the dedication of Chief Callistus Elozieuwa and the Ghanaian authorities,” she stated. “Their commitment has been crucial in ensuring these girls are brought back home safely.”
According to a statement issued by Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the rescued girls, aged 18 to 29, hailed from various Nigerian states including Anambra, Abia, and Rivers. They were reportedly lured to Ghana under false pretenses of employment but found themselves trapped in exploitative conditions. “These young women were deceived with promises of jobs only to be forced into situations that compromised their dignity,” Dabiri-Erewa added.
Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Williams Ayaregah, emphasised the importance of this operation. “More than ever, traffickers must realize that Ghana is no longer a safe haven for their illicit activities,” he warned.
The operation took place in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, resulting in one of the largest single operations against trafficking in recent times.
Akinboye Akinsola from NiDCOM played a pivotal role in escorting the rescued women back to Nigeria, where they will receive care from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s dedication to combating human trafficking under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “We are committed to rescuing those still trapped and ensuring justice for victims,” she said.
Elozieuwa noted that alongside the young women, two men were also repatriated, including one previously detained in a Ghanaian prison. “With NIDO Ghana’s assistance, he has undergone rehabilitation and is now back with his family,” he explained.
