Human trafficking remains one of the gravest human rights violations affecting vulnerable Nigerians—especially women and children. With thousands of victims trafficked each year under false pretenses of employment, education, or better opportunities abroad, this crisis continues to rob individuals of their dignity, safety, and future. Nigeria, as both a source and transit country, faces growing pressure to strengthen its efforts in prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership.
In a disturbing but all-too-common development on Sunday, 18 May 2025, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) received yet another group of Nigerian trafficking victims—ten young girls and a five-year-old boy rescued from Ghana, along with two girls repatriated from Mali.
Disclosing this in an e-signed statement released on its official Twitter/X handle on Sunday, 18 May 2025 by Abdur-Rahman Balogun Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit NiDCOM, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) announced the safe return of 12 trafficked individuals reportedly from Adamawa State North East Nigeria.
According to the Commission, the victims were deceitfully lured abroad with false promises of employment but were instead trafficked into prostitution and subjected to harrowing experiences of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
Mr. Dipo Odebowale, Head of NiDCOM’s Lagos Liaison Office, received the returnees from Ghana on behalf of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM. According to Mr. Odebowale, the girls were deceived into leaving Nigeria under the pretense of securing jobs.
The Commission confirmed that all victims have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for proper profiling, documentation, and rehabilitation.
Hon. Dabiri-Erewa expressed deep concern over the increasing number of trafficking cases and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the survivors. She stated that NiDCOM would work closely with the Adamawa State government to ensure the girls are rehabilitated and reunited with their families.
She also called for a nationwide crackdown on human traffickers and their collaborators, emphasizing the need for naming, shaming, and prosecuting offenders to deter future crimes and dismantle trafficking networks.
The Moment for Women Magazine stands in solidarity with survivors of human trafficking and urges all stakeholders—government, civil society, media, and community leaders—to intensify collaborative efforts in combating trafficking and safeguarding the rights of every woman and child in Nigeria.
In the same development, the Commission (NiDCOM) also confirmed the RETURN of ADEOLA, DAUGHTER of ACTRESS Jumoke George from Mali, on Monday, 19 May 2025. The Statement reads, “Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) facilitates the RETURN of ADEOLA, DAUGHTER of ACTRESS Jumoke George from Mali. Recall Adeola, the 41-year-old daughter of veteran Yoruba actress Jumoke George, was found in Mali after being declared missing for four years.”
“Jumoke (Mother) had earlier revealed the disappearance during an interview on the Talk to B show hosted by actress Abiola Bayo. She stated that Adeola had been living with her grandmother in Ibadan and was last seen after informing the family she was travelling to Lagos. “
Source:
Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) – Official Twitter/X Handle
