In a powerful demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has successfully facilitated the repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerians—12 young women and a five-year-old boy—from Ghana and Mali. The rescue, announced on May 18, 2025, in Abuja, underscores ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and support victims’ reintegration into society.
The victims, received by NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, shared harrowing accounts of being lured with false promises of legitimate jobs, only to be forced into prostitution. The 12 women, aged between 19 and 30, hailed from states including Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers. They described enduring sexual exploitation, physical assaults, and psychological trauma at the hands of traffickers in Ghana’s Kpone Katamanso and Tema regions and in Mali’s Bamako area.
The five-year-old boy, accompanying one of the women, was also subjected to the ordeal, highlighting the vulnerability of children in trafficking networks. The operation was a collaborative effort involving the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Rescue Live Foundation International, and Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana, with NiDCOM providing logistical support.
Dabiri-Erewa condemned the traffickers’ actions, calling for stricter prosecution and public naming of offenders to deter future crimes. She assured the victims of comprehensive support, including safe reunification with their families and rehabilitation programs coordinated with state governors. The victims were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for profiling, documentation, and counseling. This rescue brings the total number of trafficked Nigerians repatriated since July 2024 to 163, with 10 victims rescued from Ghana and two from Mali in this latest operation, as clarified by NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
The operation reflects President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes combating human trafficking, a $150 billion global industry affecting 25 million victims annually, according to the International Labour Organization. Nigeria, a source, transit, and destination country for trafficking, faces challenges in curbing the crime, with 80% of victims being women and girls, per a 2024 UN report.
NiDCOM’s efforts, supported by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru, include awareness campaigns and partnerships with international agencies. However, challenges like porous borders and corruption persist, necessitating stronger enforcement and victim support systems. The rescued victims are now on a path to recovery, with Ebonyi State pledging vocational training and stipends for reintegration.