Seventy-eight Nigerian victims of human trafficking rescued from Côte d’Ivoire arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, late Saturday night amid tears, relief and renewed hope, as the Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Binta Adamu Bello, vowed a total crackdown on the syndicate behind their ordeal.
NAPTIP disclosed this in a statement issued by the Press Officer, Adekoye Vincent , adding that the victims, include 75 young women and girls, three babies, and two adult males—were evacuated aboard an Air Peace flight facilitated free of charge by the airline’s Chairman, Mr Allen Onyema.
The statement further read that the return followed weeks of coordinated efforts between NAPTIP operatives and international partners to identify, profile, and rescue the trafficked persons.
Addressing journalists shortly after receiving the returnees, Bello described the operation as a milestone in Nigeria’s fight against human trafficking.
“This is a momentous occasion,” she said. “To the young women and girls who have just returned, welcome home. You were taken far from the safety and dignity you deserve, but today you are back on Nigerian soil, and you are not alone. This country stands with you.”
The DG confirmed that some suspected traffickers had already been apprehended following leads from victims.
Two individuals were reportedly arrested in Abuja in connection with the trafficking ring, following public outcry—including intervention from social media activist, Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan—who raised alarm during a visit to Abidjan.
“We have apprehended some of those responsible for this heinous trade, and they will face the full force of the law,” Bello stated.
“We are launching a manhunt for others connected to this crime. There is no hiding place for them.”
She disclosed that detailed profiling and medical examinations of the returnees would commence immediately, followed by counselling and vocational training tailored to each victim’s interest.
At least four of the victims, believed to be minors, were discovered to be pregnant upon arrival.
Air Peace CEO, Onyema, explained his decision to airlift the victims at no cost. “These girls are Nigerians and deserve dignity. What happened to them is unacceptable.
We must all do our part to restore their humanity and give them another chance,” he said, adding that he had also sponsored medical interventions for the returnees.
The visibly shaken victims narrated harrowing experiences of abuse and exploitation in Abidjan. One of them, Clara (not her real name), said, “I saw hell in Abidjan.
Human life means nothing in the hands of those madams. But I thank God I’m alive. When the NAPTIP DG spoke to us inside the plane, I felt a burden lift. I’m hopeful again.”
NAPTIP reiterated its commitment to fighting trafficking through enforcement, advocacy, and victim rehabilitation. “We remain ever vigilant, ever determined to end human trafficking in Nigeria,” Bello said.
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