Trafficking: Another batch of girls leave for Nigeria on Monday

by Chris Onokpegu

The Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, also known as Communaute Nigeriane Unie en Cote d’Ivoire last Monday repatriated another set of girls to Nigeria as part of its efforts to fight human trafficking.

The girls numbering six left the shores of the country by 10.30am for Nigeria and they are expected to arrive on Tuesday by evening where they will be reconciled with their parents.

Recalled penultimate week, that a pregnant woman with an eight month old baby alongside eight other girls were repatriated to Nigeria after they were rescued from the den of the traffickers.

The total of the girls repatriated so far is 980 and still counting because traveling documents are being prepared for another set to move on Wednesday. This is definitely not an easy task especially when one considers the amount being expended on a weekly basis.

Meanwhile, President of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief Emeka Michael Onwuchelu said they will continue to carry on with the fight against trafficking until it is eradicated completely while assuring that the perpetrators will be made to face the wrath of the law.

He however called on the federal government of Nigeria to support the fight because they are spending a lot to take care of the girls and also to take them back to Nigeria.

His words, “We feel embarrassed by the activities of the girls who were lured and forced into prostitution. We are not known for this, we are hardworking people hence we are well-respected across the world. Women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Alakija, Ezekwesili are women who have made great impacts at the world stage and we believe we still have more Okonjo-Iwealas amongst these girls that are being forced into prostitution.”

Recalled that the transportation fare for each of the girls back to Nigeria, cost between 35,000f and 50,000f (N130,000 or N150,000) depending on the vehicle and exchange rate of cefa at the time. The Nigerian Community caters for the transport fare,. Before they travel, they are sheltered, fed on a daily basis while waiting for their traveling documents. They also buy clothes for those who escaped from the traffickers’ den without taking their baggage along.