From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Federal Government has evacuated 78 Nigerians stranded in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.
Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the 78 Nigerians were victims of human trafficking.
He also said the operation was facilitated by the Embassy of Nigeria in Abidjan, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Nigerian Community in Abidjan and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Air Peace Airlines, at no cost to the Federal Government.
The special flight, according to Ebienfa, arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, around 11pm on Saturday.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce the successful repatriation of 78 Nigerian nationals who were victims of human trafficking from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire,” Ebienfa said.
The Ministry further underscored the Nigerian government’s unwavering commitment to protecting its citizens and combating human trafficking, and condemned in the strongest terms, the inhumane and criminal act of human trafficking which exploits vulnerable individuals, especially underage girls.
“The Ministry, therefore, wishes to commend, Dr. Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace Airlines, for his patriotism and kind hearted intervention, and urge all stakeholders—including civil society, international partners, and the public—to join efforts in eradicating this menace
“The returnees are expected to undergo debriefing and profiling by NAPTIP and other relevant agencies on arrival.
“The Ministry will continue to work with regional partners to dismantle trafficking networks and prosecute perpetrators.
“The Nigerian government remains resolute in its duty to safeguard the dignity and rights of its citizens, both at home and abroad. The Ministry, therefore, expresses its gratitude to the Ivorian authorities and all Nigerian Agencies involved in this humanitarian mission,” Ebienfa also said.