Nigerian Authorities Rescue 17 Girls Trafficked To Ghana, Five Traffickers Arrested
The agency added that five traffickers arrested over their roles in the human trafficking.
Seventeen young Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana have been rescued and returned to the country, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said on Sunday.
The agency added that five traffickers arrested over their roles in the human trafficking.
In a statement on Sunday, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, said the latest rescue operation brought number of girls repatriated back to Nigeria from Ghana alone since July 2024 to 130.
Balogun said, “This was sequel to 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.”
Speaking on this latest efforts, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, expressed her gratitude to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (CON), for her support in facilitating the safe return of the young girls back to the country.
She also commended the vital roles played by Chief Callistus 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 Renewed Hope Agenda, 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, aged between 18 and 29, come from states, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi.
He said, “They were lured to Ghana under false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy.
“Dabiri-Erewa expressed her determination to the rescue of those still trafficked in conjuction with various stakeholders, noting that many more trafficked Nigerians are still awaiting rescue.”
Mr. Williams Ayaregah, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, said “More than ever, traffickers must realise that Ghana is no longer a safe haven.”
The operation, conducted in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, resulted in the arrest of five traffickers.
“Mr. Akinboye Akinsola, representing NiDCOM, played a critical role in escorting 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 and reintegration,” the statement said.
“Chief Callistus Elozieuwa added that two young men were also repatriated, including one who was previously detained in Ghanaian prison.
“With NIDO Ghana’s assistance, the young man underwent rehabilitation and has now returned to his home state, Anambra, for family reintegration.
“This cross-national effort underscores NiDCOM’s dedication to eradicating human trafficking and highlights the importance of international col
laboration to protect Nigerians abroad.”
