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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Tears flowed and emotions ran high as 12 Nigerian men, recently rescued from the Central African Republic (CAR), recounted harrowing tales of sexual abuse and maltreatment suffered at the hands of their Chinese employers.
The men, who had been stranded for months as employees of a Chinese mining company, described their ordeal during a visit to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) headquarters in Abuja,according to a statement issued by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdurrahman Balogun.
The group, whose distressing video appeal for help circulated widely three weeks ago, finally made it home with the assistance of the Nigerian government, culminating in a heartfelt reception led by the Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
“We were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR. I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it,” declared Igorigo Freeborn, leader of the group, as he addressed officials and journalists.
Freeborn emphasised that the abuse went beyond withheld wages—eleven months of unpaid salaries. “We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today. I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I didn’t think anything good could come out of the country, but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.”
Freeborn recounted the group’s struggle since leaving Nigeria 20 months ago: “We suffered a lot. We were left stranded in the forest after work, unpaid and starving, in unsafe living conditions. The support from the Presidency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NIDCOM, and our mission in CAR gave us hope. We were eventually moved to Bangui, got medical care, and were finally brought home safely.”
Dabiri-Erewa condemned the acts of abuse as “inhumane,” assuring the returnees that justice will be pursued vigorously. “Justice will be served. NIDCOM, in partnership with relevant government agencies, will take up the matter on your behalf in the spirit of citizen diplomacy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she affirmed.
During the reception, Dabiri-Erewa urged the men to “be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in advocating against irregular migration and its consequences.” She also announced cash support for each returnee to help them resettle while they await redress and their unpaid wages.
Private support also arrived in the form of a donation from Perchstone and Greys, delivered by Toyin Adenugba for Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation. Adenugba told the returnees, “This is a demonstration of belief in your potential. It is meant to be a seed for rebuilding your lives, supporting your families, and creating new opportunities at home.”
Among the rescued were Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun, Olayemi Peter Adewale, Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala, and Yusuf Bameyi—all expressing gratitude for their rescue after months of anguish and uncertainty.
The Federal Government’s swift intervention—through agencies like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NIDCOM, NEMA, Immigration Services, and assistance from the CAR Ambassador in Bangui—was repeatedly praised by the survivors.
The event conclude with calls from officials and kind-hearted Nigerians for ongoing support, ensuring the men’s safe transition back to life in Nigeria.
