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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says it has rescued 13 more trafficked girls from Ghana.
In a statement on Friday, the commission revealed that the additional 13 girls rescued brings the total number of trafficked individuals returned to Nigeria in the past five months to 163.
“Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend”, says Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocol, NiDCOM.
“The rescued operation was a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, The Rescue live foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NiDCOM.”
Balogun stated that the rescued girls range from 19 to 30 years of age, and are from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers States. He said the girls were lure to Ghana under the false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy, while the traffickers are making money off the dastardly act.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, expressed her gratitude to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Governor Francis Nwifuru for their support in facilitating the safe return of the girls back to the country.
She reiterated the commission’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora.
“NiDCOM representative, Mr. Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the ladies back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration said these set of ladies surrendered themselves willingly, having heard of the earlier operation conducted in Kpone Katamanso and Tema”, reads the statement.
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