NIDCOM Condemns Trafficking Of Ten Nigerian Girls To Ghana

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has strongly condemned modern-day slavery (human trafficking), following the intervention on ten Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana for prostitution under the guise of “sales girls”.

Dabiri-Erewa said this while visiting Ghana to speak about the rescue of Nigerian girls trafficked to that country, praising the Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT) of NIDCOM, Ghana, Chief Calistus Elozieuwa and his team.

According to a statement issued on Monday by Gabriel Odu of NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit, representatives of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, represented by the Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, and Imo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Nkechinyere Ugwu, were also in Ghana.

The Eze Igbo of Ghana, Chukwudi Ihenetu, and Chief Calistus Elozieuewa, Chairman of the BOT in Ghana, as well as the NIDO Team, were also present.

According to the statement, the team was received by Amb Adeoye Ifedayo, the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana.

Dabiri-Erewa emphasised the need for a long-term solution to eradicate human trafficking in Nigeria, saying, “We must declare war on human traffickers.”

She urged parents to always question the whereabouts of their children when they are taken away by relatives or friends, and she encouraged everyone to work together to identify and arrest traffickers.

The NiDCOM Boss also stated that the rescued girls would be handed over to NAPTIP, who would then hand them over to their respective states for comprehensive counselling and rehabilitation.

Amb. Adeoye Ifedayo, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, praised the Nigerian Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in Ghana and emphasised the importance of doing everything possible to combat human trafficking.

Meanwhile, Imo State Governor’s representative, Rt. Hon Deputy Speaker Hon Amara Iwuanyanwu reiterated the government’s commitment to the rescued girls’ welfare and well-being.

In addition, the Plateau State Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, promised to look after the stranded girls’ well-being and complete rehabilitation.

The delegation also met with high-ranking Ghanaian police officials, who pledged complete cooperation in the fight against human trafficking. The whole team later met with the girls.

The girls’ situation went viral after being intercepted by Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in Ghana, who immediately alerted NIDCOM, resulting in prompt intervention.