FG Repatriates 78 Victims of Human Trafficking from Côte d’Ivoire

FG Repatriates 78 Victims of Human Trafficking from Côte d’Ivoire

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the successful repatriation of 78 Nigerian nationals who were victims of human trafficking from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

This was disclosed in a statement released over the weekend by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

According to Ebienfa, the  operation was facilitated by the Embassy of Nigeria in Abidjan, NAPTIP, Nigerian Community in Abidjan and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with Air Peace Airlines, at no cost to the Federal Government.

The Spokesperson stated that the special flight  arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos around 11pm on Saturday.

“The Ministry wishes to  underscore the Nigerian government’s unwavering commitment to protecting its citizens and combating human trafficking, and condemns in the strongest terms the inhumane and criminal act of human trafficking which exploits vulnerable individuals, especially underage girls,” Ebienfa said.

The Ministry also commended the Chairman of Air Peace Airlines, Dr. Allen Onyema, for his patriotism and kind hearted intervention, and urged all stakeholders—including civil society, international partners, and the public—to join efforts in eradicating the menace .

The statement further disclosed that “the returnees are expected to undergo debriefing and profiling by NAPTIP and other relevant agencies on arrival.

“The Ministry will continue to work with regional partners to dismantle trafficking networks and prosecute perpetrators.”

Ebienfa therefore assured the public that the Nigerian government is resolute in its duty to safeguard the dignity and rights of its citizens, both at home and abroad.

“The Ministry, therefore, expresses its  gratitude to the Ivorian authorities and all Nigerian Agencies involved in this humanitarian mission,” he concluded.