The Federal Government of Nigeria has repatriated 78 Nigerians who were victims of human trafficking from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard an Air Peace flight around 11 p.m. on Saturday.
The evacuation was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at no cost to the Government, thanks to a collaborative efforts involving the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigerian Community in Côte d’Ivoire, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting its citizens from the scourge of trafficking.
Read also: Air Peace repatriates 78 trafficked Nigerian women from Abidjan for free
“The Nigerian Government will never relent in protecting its citizens from the cruelty of human trafficking,” the statement read.
The Ministry also praised the patriotic contribution of Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, for offering free airlift services for the victims, describing the gesture as a significant act of national service.
Upon arrival, the returnees were received by Government officials and are currently undergoing debriefing and profiling by NAPTIP and other relevant Agencies.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government reiterated its resolve to dismantle trafficking networks, bring perpetrators to justice, and strengthen ties with both local and international partners to eliminate human trafficking.
