In a bold international effort against modern slavery, 231 Nigerians, mostly youths, are set to return home this Friday after being rescued from the grip of human traffickers in Ghana. These individuals were lured with fake job offers and forced into cybercrime operations under brutal conditions.
The Nigerian government has confirmed that 231 citizens who fell victim to human trafficking will be arriving in Lagos on Friday. This follows the rescue of 219 young Nigerians in Ghana, who were reportedly held captive and coerced into cybercrime activities by a transnational criminal syndicate.
Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, expressed deep gratitude to the Ghanaian Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) for their role in the successful operation. In a statement issued by her media aide, Magnus Eze, she praised EOCO’s professionalism and humane treatment of the victims.
Describing the rescue as a landmark in international collaboration against organized crime, Odumegwu-Ojukwu warned Nigerian youths to beware of suspicious job offers abroad. “These traffickers lure their victims with the promise of lucrative work, only to trap them in digital slavery,” she said.
She narrated harrowing details about the victims’ ordeal—25 rooms crammed with young Nigerians, forced to work for hours on end with little sunlight. “Some of them were so deprived of natural light that they couldn’t open their eyes when led outside,” she noted. The abuse was severe: lacerations, beatings, and in one case, a victim had his legs broken for allegedly hiding part of his earnings from cyber scams.
“This is nothing short of modern-day slavery—cruel, dehumanizing, and utterly unacceptable,” the Minister declared. She urged returnees to see their rescue as a second chance and to participate in government-run rehabilitation and skill acquisition programs upon their return. “East or West, home remains the best. We are ready to help you rebuild,” she assured.
EOCO’s Executive Director, Mr. Bashiru Dapilah, who led the operation, revealed that the crackdown was intelligence-driven. He confirmed that Ghanaians were also involved in the crime, including the estate owner where the victims were housed, who is now in custody and will be prosecuted.
Dapilah commended the efforts of law-abiding Nigerians living in Ghana for tipping off authorities and emphasized the importance of avoiding stereotypes. “Many Nigerians here are law-abiding business owners—let’s not allow the actions of a few to define the whole,” he urged.
Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Ghana, Ambassador Dayo Adeoye, revealed that more than three million Nigerians reside in Ghana. He called for increased awareness campaigns to help young people identify and avoid the traps of human trafficking.
The rescued individuals are expected to land in Lagos by Friday, where they will be processed and enrolled in reintegration programs aimed at helping them heal and restart their lives with dignity.
Stay informed and help spread awareness—share this story to warn others about the dangers of fake overseas job offers. Follow NIGPOST for more updates on national rescue efforts and anti-trafficking campaigns.
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