17 trafficked Nigerian girls rescued in Ghana

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has announced that 17 young Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana have been rescued and repatriated back to Nigeria while five traffickers were arrested.

This latest rescue operation brought to 130 girls repatriated back to Nigeria from Ghana alone since July 2024.

Speaking on this latest effort, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said that it was achieved through the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO, Ghana, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.

She expressed her gratitude to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her support in facilitating the safe return of the young girls back to Nigeria.

The NiDCOM boss commended the vital roles played by Calistusl Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of NIDO Ghana and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in bringing the traffickers to justice.

She reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which gave priority to combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens at home and in the Diaspora.

The statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun on Sunday, stated that the rescued young girls, were from various states, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi.

“They were lured to Ghana under false promises of employment, but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy,” the statement said. 

Dabiri-Erewa expressed her determination to the rescue of those still trafficked in conjunction with various stakeholders, noting that many more trafficked Nigerians are still awaiting rescue.

Williams Ayaregah, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, praised NiDCOM’s efforts under Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s leadership. 

He said: “More than ever, traffickers must realise that Ghana is no longer a safe haven.” 

The operation, conducted in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, resulted in one of the largest single-operation arrests, with five traffickers apprehended.

GIK/APA