In a heart-wrenching rescue mission that underscores the growing threat of modern-day slavery, at least 231 Nigerian youths are expected to arrive in Lagos on Friday after being freed from a human trafficking ring in Ghana. The victims, predominantly young men, were lured from various parts of Nigeria with deceptive promises of lucrative jobs abroad, only to be trapped in cybercrime activities and confined under deplorable conditions.
According to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the victims were discovered locked in 25 cramped rooms within a private estate in Ghana, where they endured weeks—if not months—of coercion, psychological torment, and physical abuse. Many of the rescued individuals were found with injuries indicative of severe mistreatment.
“It is heartbreaking to see our youths fall prey to these wicked networks. Trafficking is modern-day slavery,” Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu declared. She praised Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) for their swift and humane intervention, which led to the victims’ liberation and the arrest of the estate owner allegedly behind the operation. “This successful operation is a testament to the power of regional cooperation in the fight against transnational crimes.”
The victims, who are scheduled to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, will be received by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). Rehabilitation and reintegration support, including psychological counseling, vocational training, and empowerment programs, have been prepared to help them rebuild their lives.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu issued a stern warning to Nigerian youths, advising them to be cautious of fraudulent overseas job offers circulated on social media and through unscrupulous agents. She emphasized that the government, in collaboration with its international partners, is stepping up efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable citizens.
The EOCO has confirmed that the key suspect, who owns the estate where the victims were held, is currently in custody and will face prosecution under Ghanaian law. Both Ghanaian and Nigerian authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to intelligence sharing and joint operations to clamp down on cross-border criminal syndicates exploiting young Africans.
This mass rescue comes amid increasing reports of human trafficking and cybercrime syndicates exploiting economic hardship to recruit and enslave young Nigerians. Officials are hopeful that this operation will serve as a warning and a call to action for stronger community awareness, vigilant policing, and stricter regulation of travel recruitment channels.
As the nation prepares to welcome the returnees, their painful ordeal serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address the root causes of human trafficking and to invest more in the youth through education, employment, and enlightenment.