The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has rescued and repatriated 17 Nigerian women trafficked to Ghana, while five suspected traffickers were arrested. NiDCOM Spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that the operation, which took place in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, succeeded due to coordinated efforts by the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra. Balogun noted that Akinboye Akinsola, a NiDCOM representative, 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 between 18 and 29, and are hailed from Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi states.
They were reportedly lured to Ghana with false promises of employment, but faced exploitation and were bound by oaths of secrecy.
Balogun quoted Williams Ayaregah, Director of the Ghana Police Service’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, as saying, “More than ever, traffickers must realize that Ghana is no longer a safe haven.”
NiDCOM Chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, emphasized the commission’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Balogun further said two young men were also repatriated, including one who had been detained in a Ghanaian prison.
“With NIDO Ghana’s support, the young man underwent rehabilitation and has now been reintegrated with his family in Anambra”.