The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has announced the rescue and repatriation of 17 Nigerian women who were victims of human trafficking in Ghana.
Additionally, five suspected traffickers were apprehended during the operation.
According to Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the NiDCOM spokesperson, the rescue operation took place in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, and was a joint effort involving the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra. This recent operation brings the total number of Nigerian girls repatriated from Ghana since July 2024 to 130.
A NiDCOM representative, Akinboye Akinsola, escorted the rescued women back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation.
The rescued women, aged 18 to 29, hailed from several states including Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi. They had been deceived with false promises of jobs in Ghana but were instead exploited and coerced under oaths of secrecy.
Williams Ayaregah, director of the Ghana Police Service’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, stated that the country is becoming increasingly vigilant against human trafficking. “More than ever, traffickers must realise that Ghana is no longer a safe haven,” he warned.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of NiDCOM, expressed her appreciation to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her role in facilitating the safe return of the victims. She also commended Callistus Elozieuwa, chairman of the Board of Trustees of NIDO-Ghana, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit for their collaboration in the successful operation.
Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed NiDCOM’s dedication to safeguarding Nigerians abroad under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Balogun added that two young Nigerian men were also repatriated, including one who had been held in a Ghanaian prison.
