The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the repatriation of 115 Nigerian nationals many of them victims of human trafficking from Abidjan, Ivory Coast, back to Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the returnees are scheduled to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, via a special Air Peace flight by 3:00 p.m. Nigerian time.
“The Ministry wishes to inform that one hundred and fifteen (115) Nigerian nationals that are victims of trafficking will be repatriated from Abidjan, Ivory Coast to Nigeria today via a special flight operated by Air Peace at no cost to the Nigerian Government,” the statement read.
This humanitarian gesture was made possible by Air Peace, whose Chairman, Allen Onyema, had earlier pledged to fly home underage girls trafficked to the Ivory Coast free of charge, following disturbing reports of Nigerian minors being exploited abroad.
Onyema, in a statement posted on the airline’s official X handle, expressed deep concern over the situation and described human trafficking as “inhumane, callous, and ungodly.”
“We should discourage trafficking of any kind. It is inhumane and callous. It is ungodly and a good example of man’s inhumanity to man,” Onyema said.
Beyond the free repatriation flight, Onyema also promised comprehensive medical examinations and treatment for the returnees at Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, at no cost to them.
He further appealed to the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire to assist in assembling the victims for repatriation and urged the Federal Government to take over the rehabilitation, education, and reintegration of the rescued individuals.
“We equally call on the Federal Government to take charge of their education while reuniting them with their families,” he added.
The repatriation marks another significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and modern slavery, especially as it affects vulnerable young citizens lured abroad under false pretenses.
