FG commends Ghana for rescuing 219 trafficked Nigerians

The Federal Government has applauded the Ghanaian authorities for rescuing no fewer than 219 young Nigerians who were trafficked to the country and forced into cybercrime activities.

This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja. The minister made the remarks following her visit to the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) in Accra, Ghana, where the victims were being kept after their rescue.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment through technical education and skills acquisition programmes, aiming to curb desperation that often leads to trafficking.

Her visit coincided with the 50th anniversary celebration of ECOWAS and the Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers on the withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from the regional body.

The minister praised the Executive Director of EOCO, Mr. Bashiru Dapilah, for the humane handling of the rescued victims. Describing trafficking as a modern form of slavery and an inhumane crime, she condemned the exploitation of innocent youths and urged young Nigerians to be wary of individuals offering enticing job opportunities abroad, warning that many are traps for exploitation.

According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana alerted her about the case, revealing that the trafficked victims were kept in harsh conditions by their captors before a sting operation uncovered the syndicate.

“Before their rescue, these young men had been locked up in about 25 rooms within the estate, used to commit cyber fraud. Many, after weeks in confinement, could hardly adjust their eyes to sunlight. Some bore lacerations from abuse by their criminal ‘don’, and one even had his legs broken for allegedly not surrendering all his proceeds,” she narrated.

She urged the victims to consider themselves fortunate and take advantage of government intervention programmes, reminding them that many others in similar circumstances did not survive.

EOCO boss Bashiru Dapilah explained how his agency acted on intelligence to crack the operation, noting, “This is not just a Nigerian crime as some Ghanaians were involved. We arrested the estate owner and he will face prosecution. However, we need Nigeria’s cooperation to arrest those behind the syndicate back home.”

Dapilah commended the majority of law-abiding Nigerians in Ghana for their positive contribution to the country’s economy and expressed appreciation for the collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission.

Ambassador Dayo Adeoye, Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Ghana, disclosed that about 3 million Nigerians reside in Ghana, most of whom are doing well and contributing to the nation’s growth. He stressed the need for increased awareness campaigns to curb trafficking.

Adeoye also confirmed that no fewer than 231 trafficked Nigerians would be returning to Lagos on Friday, April 25, where they would be handed over to relevant government agencies.