66 Nigerians trafficked to Ghana rescued, returned to Nigeria – Immigration
On Saturday evening, the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) received 66 Nigerians trafficked from Ghana.
The returnees, comprising 59 women (including children) and seven young men, arrived at the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post around 4 p.m.
Comptroller Abdullahi Adamu of the Seme Command revealed that the operation was a collaborative effort with the Ghanaian authorities.
The rescue was coordinated with the Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana, leading to the apprehension and return of the victims.
They are set to be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further processing and support.
Adamu praised the cooperation between the NIS and the Ghanaian government, emphasizing the commitment of the Comptroller-General of NIS, Kemi Nana, to combating human trafficking and smuggling.
Ghanaian officials, including Mr. Kpeli Kofi from Interpol and Ms. Mutilda Dellir from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police, were instrumental in the rescue.
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Dellir noted that the trafficked individuals were deceived with promises of better opportunities in Ghana but were instead exploited, with some forced into prostitution.
Among the returnees, Uche John from Port Harcourt shared that she had been lured to Ghana under false pretenses of a better life, only to face forced prostitution.
She expressed relief at returning home and a newfound awareness of the dangers of trafficking.
The NIS had previously rescued five victims from Côte d’Ivoire on July 4 and, on July 20, reported the rescue of 58 more Nigerians from Ghana.
With the latest operation, a total of 105 individuals have been rescued in recent months.
This operation highlights the ongoing collaboration between Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities in addressing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals.
This operation highlights the ongoing collaboration between Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities in addressing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals.
If the above is what people should see in this, then it’s very sad. This is because the situation does underline the destroyed economy of Nigeria, that forces people to think neighbouring countries that we used to look down on, as being places with better life opportunities. Such that Nigerians are even desperate to traffic and be trafficked there. The situation tells you the urgency necessary to fix our politics and our economy, and better people’s lives, restoring their dignity, integrity, pride, value as human beings than objects of pleasure, and give everyone back some self respect.
Very true. Thank you for this insightful comment.