Nigerian Immigration Receives 66 Trafficked Nigerians from Ghana

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has successfully rescued 66 trafficked Nigerians from Ghana, comprising 59 women and children and seven young men. The returnees arrived at the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post office of immigration around 4:00 PM, following a coordinated rescue mission involving the Ghanaian government.

Speaking to newsmen, Comptroller Abdullahi Adamu, the Area Controller of the Seme command of NIS, highlighted the collaborative efforts with the High Commissioner in Ghana. He said, "The rescue mission was a collaborative effort from here to Ghana, involving our Attaché in Ghana and the high commissioner. They assisted us in apprehending these people and then returned them to us. Now, we will hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to ensure they return to their respective destinations."

Adamu emphasized that this operation underscores the commitment of the Comptroller-General of NIS, Kemi Nandap, in combating migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and protecting vulnerable migrants.

Mr. Kpeli Kofi, Detective Chief Inspector of the Interpol Unit in Ghana, explained their role in rescuing the trafficked Nigerians through a joint effort with Ghana's anti-human trafficking unit. "We realized someone might have influenced their coming to Ghana with promises of better prospects. Consequently, we planned and organized with the Nigerian Embassy in Ghana to bring them back," he said.

Inspector Mutilda Dellir from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police noted that some traffickers had brought the Nigerians to Ghana under false pretenses. "Human trafficking is a significant issue in Ghana and Nigeria. When we see these vulnerable individuals, we try to interview them to understand their situation and reasons for being in Ghana," she added.

One of the trafficked Nigerians, Uche John from Port-Harcourt, recounted how she was lured to Ghana with promises of a better life but ended up being forced into prostitution. She expressed relief at being back in Nigeria and learning valuable lessons from her ordeal.

The rescue mission is a part of a broader effort by NIS and its partners. On July 4, the Seme Area Command of NIS rescued five victims of human trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire. Additionally, on July 20, the Federal Government announced the rescue of another 58 Nigerian women and children trafficked to Ghana. With this latest operation, a total of 105 trafficked individuals have been rescued in recent months.

For more information on the Nigerian Immigration Service's efforts to combat human trafficking, visit their official website. Learn more about NAPTIP's initiatives here.