In a major breakthrough against human trafficking in West Africa, a total of 231 Nigerians, including 219 males and 12 females, are expected to arrive in Lagos on Friday, following a rescue operation carried out in Ghana.
The victims, mostly young adults, were reportedly lured under false pretenses with promises of lucrative job opportunities. Upon arrival in Ghana, they were held in cramped conditions and forced into cybercrime activities, stripped of their freedom and subjected to physical abuse.
Authorities revealed that the victims were confined in 25 small rooms and monitored closely, with their movements heavily restricted.
The rescue operation was a result of a collaborative effort between Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and Nigeria’s National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). According to officials, many of the victims sustained injuries, including one who suffered broken limbs after being brutally punished for not meeting daily targets.
Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Senior Special Assistant to the Anambra State Governor on Diaspora Affairs, who has been actively involved in facilitating their return, described the trafficking operation as modern day slavery, barbaric and inhumane.
She also cautioned young Nigerians against falling for job scams that promise opportunities abroad but result in exploitation.
While addressing the rescued individuals, the Minister said, “Count yourselves fortunate. Next time, it may not be a benevolent country like Ghana, nor a situation where Nigeria has strong bilateral relations. East or West, home is best. Give your government a chance to equip you with valuable skills when you return”
The returnees are expected to receive initial care and rehabilitation support upon arrival, with further assistance planned to help them reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives.
