17 Nigerian women rescued from trafficking in Ghana, 5 suspects arrested

In a significant victory against human trafficking, seventeen young Nigerian women, aged 18 to 29, have been safely returned to Nigeria after being rescued from traffickers in Ghana.

This welcome news was shared by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media and Public Relations for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), who announced the women’s return over the weekend.

The young women, who came from states across Nigeria, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi, were reportedly lured to Ghana with the promise of legitimate job opportunities.

Once there, they discovered the harsh reality of exploitation and were coerced into silence, unable to reach out for help.

The rescue effort has not only brought these women home but also led to the arrest of five individuals involved in the trafficking network.

These arrests mark an important step in the fight against human trafficking, a criminal industry that continues to exploit vulnerable individuals worldwide.

The Nigerian government remains committed to strengthening anti-trafficking efforts and encourages citizens to be vigilant, urging communities to stay aware of the risks associated with exploitative job offers abroad.

“Seventeen young Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana have been rescued and repatriated back to the country, while five traffickers were equally arrested.

“This latest rescue operation brought to 130 girls repatriated back to Nigeria from Ghana alone since July 2024,” Balogun noted.

The rescue operation was coordinated by the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Ghana and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, credited Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her support in facilitating the safe return of the young women.

Dabiri-Erewa also commended the efforts of the Board of Trustees Chairman of NIDO Ghana, Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in ensuring justice for the victims.

She reiterated “NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which gave priority to combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens at home and in the diaspora,” the statement added.

The NiDCOM boss stressed her determination to rescue more trafficked Nigerians with the help of various stakeholders, noting that many are still waiting for assistance.

The Director of Ghana’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Williams Ayaregah, lauded NiDCOM’s efforts under Dabiri-Erewa’s leadership, saying, “More than ever, traffickers must realise that Ghana is no longer a safe haven.”

The operation, conducted in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, resulted in one of the largest single-operation arrests, with five traffickers apprehended.

Akinboye Akinsola, representing NiDCOM, helped escort the rescued women back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for rehabilitation and reintegration.

In addition to the rescued women, two young men were repatriated, including one who had previously been detained in Ghanaian prison, the statement concluded.