By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, April 26, ’25 (TNZ) The Federal Government has received 231 young Nigerian boys, trafficked to Ghana, through a multi-agency coordination.
TheNewsZenith reports that a coordinated multi-agency collaboration, headed by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), facilitating their transpotation back home of the victims.
The victims, many of whom were lured with false promises of lucrative jobs, were instead coerced into engaging in internet fraud after being handed laptops, before their rescue.
Dominic Mensah, the Head of Human Trafficking at Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), narrated how the office rescued the victims.
According to him, EOCO discovered the victims during a recent raid on an estate in Ghana. He said they arrested 27 suspected traffickers during the operation.
“We got intelligence on the location two weeks ago and struck last week. We found underage youths and adults held there.
”Some were sick, and to prevent a humanitarian crisis, the Ghanaian government decided to repatriate them back to Nigeria,” TheNewsZenith quotes Mensah as explaining.
Thereafter, NIDCOM, with the support of the First lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and Wema Bank, facilitated the return of the victims back to Nigeria.
NIDCOM, in turn officially handed over the victims to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for profiling and support.
TheNewsZenith gathered that the estate owner where the victims were held, is currently undergoing trial in Ghana.
The Ghanaian authorities assured that they will arrest all those involved in the trafficking network for prosecution.
The victims, whose ages range from 15 to 38 years, has Edo state topping the list with 76 indigenes. Six are from Anambra, Delta 17, Bayelsa 13, Imo 19, and Enugu 12.
Ebonyi accounted for eight, Cross River seven, Abia nine, Niger four, Akwa Ibom three, Kogi six, and one person each from Ondo and Osun State.
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Receiving the victims in Lagos, Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of NIDCOM, encouraged them not to feel ashamed of their ordeal.
“We are receiving you on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. The President cares about you and every Nigerian, regardless of where you reside. Hold your heads high.
”For those who want to return to school or learn a trade, support will be provided through your state governments,” TheNewsZenith quotes Dabiri-Erewa as assuring the victims.
She reiterated the government’s resolve to shame and prosecute human traffickers, just as it does with drug traffickers.
“They will not go scot-free. Traffickers will be punished. NAPTIP and other agencies will help you reintegrate and find jobs.”
NiDCOM called on state governments to provide support to victims identified from their respective states.
She thanked key stakeholders involved in facilitating the rescue and repatriation of the victims.
They included the First Lady, Senator. Oluremi Tinubu and Wema Bank Plc for covering the transportation costs and providing some financial support for the victims.
Others are Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, Chairman of NIDO Ghana, the Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana, Amb. Adeoye and Airtel.
Airtel staff were on ground to provide starter packs to those who already have their NIN.
Also speaking, NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Comfort Agboka, said that all victims would be thoroughly profiled.
Agboka said NAPTIP would transfer the suspects in the trafficking to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation. (TNZ)
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