AKH-TRACADA hails FG, NAPTIP for repatriating 115 trafficked Nigerians

An NGO, Anti-Kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse and Drug Abuse Initiative (AKH-TRACADA), has commended the Federal Government for the successful repatriation of 115 Nigerians who were victims of human trafficking from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Executive Director and Founder, AKH-TRACADA, Mr Belonwu Ezeanyaeche on Sunday in Abuja.

Ezeanyaeche described the action as a “bold and compassionate step” that reinforced the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens from transnational organised crimes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced the repatriation of 115 Nigerian nationals from Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Saturday, May 10.

NAN reports that the Director-General of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu-Bello, was in Lagos to receive the victims.

The victims were evacuated by Air Peace free of charge.

Ezeanyaeche commended the federal government for the efforts and decisive steps taken to curbing human trafficking, child abuse and drug abuse in the West Africa.

According to him, this is a project on human development and safety of Nigerians in the diaspora abandoned by previous administrations.

“We hereby appreciate and commend the President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to renew hope in Nigeria for Nigerians home and abroad.

“We are deeply encouraged by the collaborative effort between the Federal Government, NAPTIP, and relevant international partners in bringing our brothers and sisters back home.

“This operation is not only timely but also critical in restoring hope and dignity to victims of trafficking.

“This is because, human trafficking remains one of the most brutal forms of modern slavery and must be tackled with urgency, commitment, and cross-border cooperation,”he said.

Ezeanyaeche called on the government to intensify awareness campaigns across rural and urban communities, increase border surveillance, and ensure speedy prosecution of trafficking syndicates.

“Prevention, protection, and prosecution must remain the tripod of Nigeria’s anti-trafficking strategy.

“We also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, civil society groups, and international organisations to support reintegration programs for survivors, noting that long-term rehabilitation is crucial in preventing re-victimisation,”he said.

The NGO reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working with government agencies and stakeholders to combat the scourge of human trafficking.

This, he said were especially as the nation grapples with other social vices like drug abuse and child exploitation.

NAN reports that over 200 Nigerians were repatriated from Ghana after they were trafficked there and forced into cybercrime by a criminal syndicate on Friday, April 25.