Twelve Nigerian miners who were stranded and exploited in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been successfully rescued and returned to safety, arriving in Abuja to a warm reception led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairwoman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
The miners’ rescue operation, coordinated by NiDCOM alongside key government agencies, culminated after weeks of efforts to evacuate them from a remote village in CAR where they endured appalling conditions. Upon their arrival, Chairwoman Dabiri-Erewa described their ordeal as inhumane and assured them that justice would be pursued vigorously against those responsible for their mistreatment.
Igorigo Freeborn, the leader of the group, shared harrowing accounts of their experience, including abandonment by recruiters and enduring physical and sexual abuse at the hands of their Chinese employers. Despite living for months in hardship and unpaid, the miners expressed gratitude for the rescue and vowed to be advocates against irregular migration.
To aid their reintegration, NiDCOM provided immediate financial support to the miners, who also received donations from Nigerian law firm Perchstone & Greys. The commission stressed the importance of the miners’ cooperation in ongoing advocacy to raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration and human trafficking.
The rescue shines a spotlight on the grave risks faced by Nigerian workers abroad, especially in conflict zones, and underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of its citizens wherever they may be.
As the miners begin the process of healing and rebuilding their lives, their stories serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to tackle exploitative labor practices and protect vulnerable Nigerians from falling prey to traffickers and abusive employers.
NiDCOM continues to pledge its full support, emphasizing that no Nigerian will be left behind in the fight for dignity, justice, and safe migration.
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