Three young Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana under false pretenses of job opportunities have been rescued and safely repatriated to Nigeria, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) announced on Friday.
The victims—identified as Divine, Favour, and Bright, aged between 17 and 19—were received on Thursday at NiDCOM’s Lagos office after being freed from the grip of human traffickers. The girls, originally from Bayelsa and Ebonyi states, were lured into a sex trafficking ring by women they referred to as “aunties,” who deceived them with promises of gainful employment in Ghana.
According to a statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols at NiDCOM, the rescued girls have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for profiling, counseling, and reintegration into society. The effort is part of a growing collaboration between NiDCOM and NAPTIP to combat human trafficking and provide support for Nigerian victims worldwide.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to eradicating human trafficking, calling on Nigerians to expose those behind the heinous trade.
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“Human trafficking will persist unless traffickers and their agents are exposed and shamed,” Dabiri-Erewa stated. “It’s a global issue, and until we stop covering up for those responsible, we will not win this fight.”
She expressed heartfelt appreciation to Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, Chairman of the NIDO Ghana Board of Trustees, for his relentless efforts in facilitating the girls’ rescue. Dabiri-Erewa also acknowledged the support of the Nigerian Embassy in Ghana and thanked Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for providing critical assistance with transportation logistics.
This latest rescue operation highlights a disturbing trend of human trafficking between Nigeria and Ghana. More than 169 Nigerians have been repatriated from Ghana in recent months, following similar exploitation schemes that prey on vulnerable young people seeking better opportunities abroad.
As efforts intensify to protect Nigerians from cross-border exploitation, the government urges families and communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious recruitment practices that may endanger the lives of their loved ones.
