The Federal Government has applauded authorities in Ghana for rescuing 219 Nigerian youths trafficked into the country and forced into cybercrime operations.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, expressed the government’s appreciation during her visit to the Economic and Organised Crimes Office, EOCO, in Accra, where the victims were being sheltered following their rescue.
The minister described the situation as modern-day slavery, condemning the inhumane treatment meted out to the victims.
Her visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS and the Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.
She praised EOCO’s Executive Director, Mr. Bashiru Dapilah, for the swift action and care given to the trafficked Nigerians, who were lured with fake job offers and locked in about 25 rooms within an estate in Ghana, where they were used to commit cybercrimes.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu narrated the horrific conditions the youths endured, including being confined in dark rooms for weeks, suffering physical abuse, and being denied sunlight and freedom.
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“One had his legs broken for not handing over proceeds of the cybercrime,” she said, urging the victims to embrace the second chance given to them and explore available Federal Government empowerment programmes.
She cautioned Nigerian youths against accepting too-good-to-be-true overseas job offers, stressing that many had died or landed in foreign jails due to similar schemes.
Mr. Dapilah explained that EOCO acted on intelligence and arrested the estate owner. He emphasized the need for cross-border collaboration to bring the masterminds to justice.
“The crime occurred in Ghana, but we suspect strong Nigerian involvement,” he said, urging Nigeria’s cooperation to apprehend all those responsible.
Chargé D’Affaires, Ambassador Dayo Adeoye, stated that over 3 million Nigerians live in Ghana, most of whom are law-abiding.
He thanked EOCO for their cooperation and disclosed that 231 rescued victims will be returned to Lagos on Friday, April 25, for rehabilitation and reintegration.
NAN
