Tears flowed freely in Abuja on Friday as 12 Nigerian men, recently rescued from the Central African Republic (CAR), recounted harrowing tales of sexual abuse, forced labour and maltreatment at the hands of their Chinese employers.
The men, who had been stranded for months while working for a Chinese mining company, shared their ordeal during a reception at the headquarters of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). The event followed weeks of public outcry after a distress video appeal they recorded went viral.
According to a statement issued by Abdurrahman Balogun, NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, the returnees were formally welcomed home by the Commission’s Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who assured them that justice would be pursued on their behalf.
Speaking for the group, Igorigo Freeborn described their bitter experiences, including sexual assault, unpaid wages and starvation.
“We were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR. I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it,” Freeborn said emotionally.
He explained that the men had endured nearly two years of hardship since leaving Nigeria.
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“We were left stranded in the forest after work, unpaid and starving, in unsafe conditions. For eleven months, our salaries were withheld. But we thank God for sparing our lives to tell our stories today. I used to think nothing good could come out of Nigeria, but receiving help from our government changed my view,” he added.
Their rescue involved the Presidency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NIDCOM, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Immigration Services and Nigeria’s mission in Bangui, CAR. The men were moved to Bangui, where they received medical care before being repatriated.
Dabiri-Erewa described their ordeal as “inhumane”, stressing that justice would not be delayed.
“Justice will be served. NIDCOM, in partnership with relevant government agencies, will take up the matter on your behalf in the spirit of citizen diplomacy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she said.
She also urged the men to become advocates against irregular migration, warning other Nigerians to avoid falling into similar traps.
Each returnee received cash support from the Commission to aid resettlement while awaiting the recovery of their withheld wages. Additional assistance came from the private sector, as Perchstone and Greys, through Tolu Aderemi of the JAALS Foundation, provided further financial aid.
Representing the foundation, Toyin Adenugba told the men:
“This is a demonstration of belief in your potential. It is meant to be a seed for rebuilding your lives, supporting your families and creating new opportunities at home.”
Among the rescued men were Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun, Olayemi Peter Adewale, Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
They all expressed deep gratitude to the Nigerian government and well-meaning citizens who ensured their safe return after months of anguish and uncertainty.
The emotional reception ended with renewed calls for sustained public and private support to help the victims reintegrate into society, as government agencies vowed to pursue justice against their abusers.
