About 78 Nigerians rescued from human traffickers in Cote D’Ivoire have arrived in Lagos.

The victims, comprising 73 females, two males and three babies arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos around 11 :00 p.m. on Saturday.

The Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Binta Bello, received the victims at the airport.

In her speech, Ms Bello said that the return of the victims reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the fight against human trafficking.

She said, “This is a momentous occasion, a day that marks not only the safe return of our beloved daughters but also a reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to the fight against human trafficking. To the young women and girls who have just returned – we say welcome home. You were taken far from the safety and dignity you deserve, but today, you are back on Nigerian soil, and you are not alone. You are home, and this country stands with you. Your courage, your survival, and your return symbolise hope for thousands of others who may still be in the shadows. And to those who have perpetuated this evil let today be a reminder that Nigeria will never relent in pursuing justice.’’

The NAPTIP boss said that some of those responsible for the heinous trade had been apprehended and would face the full force of the law.

According to her, the agency will profile and chat with the survivors for necessary measures in line with its mandate which included counselling and skill acquisition training.

She stated, “We thank the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for its constant support and political will in the fight against trafficking in persons. The support has been instrumental in enabling NAPTIP to carry out this noble mandate. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Air Peace Airlines for their generous and patriotic assistance in facilitating the safe return of these victims free of charge. Your partnership is a shining example of how the private sector can contribute meaningfully to national efforts. To all our local and international partners, thank you. Your collaboration continues to empower us, and today’s success is one we share with all of you.’’

Ms Bello urged the public to raise awareness, report suspicious activities, and to stand together against the grave violation of human dignity.

Narrating her ordeal, a 24-year-old pregnant victim, said that a friend lured her into prostitution.

She noted, “One of my friends told me that she is running a supermarket, that she would love me to come and work and earn like N300,000 a month. She said that I should not worry about the transport that she is going to pay for me which she did.’’

The victim said that the moment she got there, she discovered that there was no supermarket, adding that her friend told her that she paid N3 million for her transport and she must sleep with men to repay her.

She added, “I told her I cannot, but she threatened to either kill or cut my hair and take it to an herbalist to make me run mad. For fear of the unknown, I started sleeping with different men.”

According to her, she is four months pregnant and needs help to take care of herself and her unborn baby.

“When I discovered I was pregnant, she asked me to abort, I told her I cannot because the baby is already big. She started mistreating me, hitting me with sticks on my tummy, sometimes she sends some men to kick me in my stomach to lose the pregnancy. When I could no longer bear the torture, I went to report to the police,” she said.

In the same vein, another victim, a 17-year-old said that she met a lady who forced her into a commercial sex.

She stated, “A lady approached me, she said she would like to take me to Cote d’Ivoire to work in a restaurant and I will be paid 1.5million cfa monthly. I and six other girls accepted, she told us not to tell our parents. When we got there, she and her gang dumped us in a forest where men came to pick us up for sex.’’

The victim said that after undergoing abortions, the lady did a five-year family planning for her.

According to her, some of her colleagues died in the process.

She said, “Some of my colleagues who were picked up for sex never returned, some were killed and dumped on the road.”

Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation, Anti-Kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse and Drug Abuse Initiative has commended the Federal Government for the successful repatriation of some Nigerians trafficked to Côte d’Ivoire.

This is contained in a statement by the Executive Director and Founder, AKH-TRACADA, Belonwu Ezeanyaeche on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Ezeanyaeche described the action as a “bold and compassionate step” that reinforced the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens from transnational organised crimes.

.Mr Ezeanyaeche commended the federal government for the efforts and decisive steps taken to curbing human trafficking, child abuse and drug abuse in West Africa.

According to him, it’s a project on human development and safety of Nigerians in diaspora abandoned by previous administrations.

He said, “We hereby appreciate and commend President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to renew hope in Nigeria for Nigerians home and abroad. We are deeply encouraged by the collaborative effort between the Federal Government, NAPTIP, and relevant international partners in bringing our brothers and sisters back home. This operation is not only timely but also critical in restoring hope and dignity to victims of trafficking. This is because, human trafficking remains one of the most brutal forms of modern slavery and must be tackled with urgency, commitment, and cross-border cooperation.’’

Mr Ezeanyaeche called on the government to intensify awareness campaigns across rural and urban communities, increase border surveillance, and ensure speedy prosecution of trafficking syndicates.

“Prevention, protection, and prosecution must remain the tripod of Nigeria’s anti-trafficking strategy. We also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, civil society groups, and international organisations to support reintegration programmes for survivors as long-term rehabilitation is crucial in preventing re-victimisation,” he said.

The NGO reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working with government agencies and stakeholders to combat the scourge of human trafficking.

He noted that it was necessary as the nation grapples with other social vices such as drug abuse and child exploitation.

Over 200 Nigerians were repatriated from Ghana after they were trafficked there and forced into cybercrime by a criminal syndicate on Friday, April 25.

(NAN)