In an act of compassion and patriotism, the Chairman of Air Peace Group, Chief Allen Onyema, has pledged to repatriate, at no cost, a group of Nigerian underage girls recently trafficked to Côte d'Ivoire. This development has drawn national attention and renewed calls for decisive action against human trafficking, a crime Onyema describes as “inhumane, callous, and ungodly.”
The promise, made via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of Air Peace, comes in the wake of reports exposing the plight of several Nigerian girls lured into the West African country under the guise of better opportunities but subsequently forced into exploitative conditions.
“We should discourage trafficking of any kind,” Onyema said in a strongly worded statement. “It is inhumane and callous. It is ungodly and a good example of man’s inhumanity to man. We, in Air Peace, are ready to bring our fellow citizens back home free of charge.”
Beyond airlifting the victims back to Nigeria, Onyema has also committed to ensuring their physical well-being. He announced that all the rescued girls will be taken to the Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, for comprehensive medical examinations and treatment, all fully funded by the Air Peace Group.
This move has been hailed as a lifeline for the victims, many of whom are believed to be teenagers subjected to harrowing conditions since their arrival in Ivory Coast. While details remain sparse on how the girls were trafficked, the incident reflects the broader challenges Nigeria continues to face in tackling cross-border human trafficking networks that prey on the vulnerable.
Onyema also used the opportunity to call on the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan to swiftly identify and assemble the affected girls so that the repatriation can proceed without delay. “We implore the Nigerian Embassy in Cote D’Ivoire to assemble them and reach out to us,” he said.
Furthermore, Onyema made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to play an active role in rehabilitating the victims. He suggested that, beyond reuniting the girls with their families, the government should assume responsibility for their education to ensure a brighter future and reduce the risk of re-trafficking.
“This is not just a rescue mission; it’s a national emergency. These girls are victims of a failed system, and it is our collective duty to ensure they do not remain victims for life,” Onyema emphasized.
The Air Peace initiative has sparked praise from civil society groups, anti-trafficking organizations, and Nigerians at large, many of whom have taken to social media to commend Onyema’s bold intervention. Some have even urged the Federal Government to partner with local airlines and private institutions to create a robust response system for trafficked Nigerians abroad.
The unfortunate case of the trafficked girls once again highlights the urgent need for intensified efforts in public awareness, community vigilance, and international collaboration to combat human trafficking—a multibillion-dollar industry that continues to shatter lives and undermine national integrity.
As the nation awaits further details from the Nigerian Embassy in Ivory Coast, Air Peace’s offer stands as a shining example of corporate social responsibility rooted in empathy, patriotism, and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian people.