No fewer than 231 young Nigerians trafficked to Ghana are expected to return to Lagos on Friday following a major rescue operation led by Ghanaian authorities, the Federal Government has confirmed.
The victims, predominantly young men, were discovered in a residential estate in Accra where they were held in cramped conditions across 25 rooms and forced into cybercrime activities. The rescue, coordinated by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Ghana, was described by Nigerian officials as a critical breakthrough in the fight against human trafficking and cross-border cybercrime.
Victims Rescued from Cybercrime Enslavement.
Speaking during a visit to EOCO’s office in Accra, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, praised the swift intervention and professionalism of Ghanaian operatives. In a statement issued by her media aide, Magnus Eze, she thanked Ghana for its humane treatment of the rescued individuals.
“These young men were lured with fake job offers and ended up trapped in modern-day slavery. Some suffered physical abuse, including one individual with broken legs for allegedly failing to meet illegal targets,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana had alerted authorities to the situation days before the raid took place. She warned young Nigerians against falling victim to deceptive foreign job offers, stressing that such schemes are often disguised trafficking operations.
Federal Government Promises Support, Rehabilitation.
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to rehabilitating the victims through skill acquisition programs and federal intervention schemes.
“Let this be a lesson. You were lucky it happened in a country where we have a strong relationship. In other countries, cybercrime carries severe penalties. Some don’t even allow extradition,” she added.
Highlighting Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Tinubu, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said citizen-centered diplomacy remains a key pillar of the administration. She also commended law-abiding Nigerians in Ghana, emphasizing that their efforts should not be overshadowed by the actions of criminal elements.
EOCO Urges Nigeria to Collaborate on Prosecutions.
EOCO’s Executive Director, Bashiru Dapilah, confirmed that several Ghanaian nationals, including the estate owner who housed the victims, have been arrested and will be prosecuted. He stressed that the criminal network has links in Nigeria and called for close cooperation between both countries.
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“This is not just a Ghanaian issue. The operation has roots in Nigeria. We’ll need collaboration to ensure that every party involved is brought to justice,” Dapilah said.
He added that EOCO is in touch with Nigeria’s anti-graft and law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to further the investigation.
The repatriation of the 231 rescued individuals is being coordinated by Nigerian officials, who will receive them upon arrival in Lagos. Authorities have assured that the victims will be given immediate care and long-term support to reintegrate them into society.
