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 pm on Saturday. The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, received the victims at the airport.

Bello described the occasion as momentous, saying it marked not only the safe return of the victims but also a reaffirmation of the agency’s commitment to fighting human trafficking. “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,” she said.

The NAPTIP boss welcomed the victims home, assuring them of the country’s support. “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,” Bello added.

According to Bello, some of those responsible for the heinous trade have been apprehended and would face the full force of the law. The agency will profile and counsel the survivors, providing necessary measures, including skill acquisition training.

Bello thanked the Federal Government for its constant support and Air Peace Airlines for facilitating the safe return of the victims free of charge. “We thank the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for its constant support and political will in the fight against trafficking in persons… We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Air Peace Airlines for their generous and patriotic assistance,” she said.

One of the victims, a 24-year-old pregnant woman, narrated how a friend lured her into prostitution. “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.

The victim explained that she was forced into prostitution after discovering there was no supermarket. “She said that she paid N3 million for my transport and that I must sleep with men for me to pay her back. I told her I cannot, but she threatened to either kill or cut my hair and take it to a herbalist to make me run mad. For fear of the unknown, I started sleeping with different men,” she added.

The victim, who is four months pregnant, appealed for 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 said.