Dabiri-Erewa visits stranded Nigerian girls in Ghana; Calls for war against human trafficking
Abuja: June 10, 2024
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has condemned in strong terms, modern day slavery in the form of human trafficking. This follows the intervention of NiDCOM in the case of the 10 Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana for prostitution, under the guise of taking them to the neighbouring country to serve as “sales girls.”
Dabiri-Erewa condemned the growing phenomenon when she visited Ghana to address issue of the rescue of the trafficked girls. She also commended the Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT) of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Ghana, Chief Calistus Elozieuwa and his team who took the initiative to rescue the girls from their abductor.
Also present in Ghana were the representatives of the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu and the Commissioner for Women Affairs of Imo State, Mrs. Nkechinyere Ugwu.
The Eze Igbo of Ghana, Chukwudi Ihenetu and Chief Calistus Elozieuwa, Chairman BOT, NIDO Ghana and the NIDO team were also present during the visit. The team was received by the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Adeoye Ifedayo.
Hon. Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the need for a permanent solution to the menace, insisting that human trafficking must be eradicated in Nigeria, adding that, “we must declare war against human traffickers.”
She urged parents to always question the whereabouts of their children when they are taken away by relatives or friends, and encouraged collective efforts to ensure that traffickers are named, arrested, prosecuted and penalized.
The NiDCOM Boss restated that the rescued girls would be handed over to NAPTIP, who will in turn hand them over to their various states for total counselling and rehabilitation.
Amb. Ifedayo commended NIDO in Ghana, and also stressed the need to do everything to put a stop to human trafficking.
Hon. Iwuanyanwu, speaking on behalf of Gov. Uzodinma, reiterated government’s commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of the rescued girls.
Also, the Plateau State Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, also pledged to cater to the welfare and full rehabilitation of the two stranded girls from Plateau state.
The delegation also met with the high echelon of the Ghanaian Police who pledged total cooperation with Nigeria in the war against human trafficking.
The team later met with the girls who were in high spirits and looking forward to returning home.
Recall that the news of the situation of the girls went viral after they were intercepted by NIDO Ghana officials, who promptly alerted NIDCOM, leading to the swift intervention.
