In a major victory against human trafficking, 78 Nigerian girls and young women were repatriated from Côte d’Ivoire early Sunday morning. Their arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos marked a significant collaborative effort led by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). Director-General
Dr. Binta Bello praised the operation as a reaffirmation of national resolve, revealing that some perpetrators had already been apprehended. The return was made possible through cooperation between the Nigerian government, international bodies, and Air Peace Airlines, which facilitated the journey free of charge.
Dr. Bello emphasized that the rescued victims would receive comprehensive care, including medical evaluations and rehabilitation, to aid their reintegration. She urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as trafficking continues to thrive under false pretenses. According to NAPTIP, hundreds of Nigerian women and girls are trafficked yearly to West Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, making such rescue efforts increasingly critical.
Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema, who personally supervised the rescue, said the decision to act stemmed from a sense of moral duty, not profit. Despite the financial loss estimated at ₦400 million due to flight disruptions, Onyema insisted that human life outweighed any monetary value. He stressed the importance of treating the victims with dignity and pledged continued support through Air Peace’s corporate social responsibility program.
All 78 returnees are to receive full medical care at Duchess International Hospital, with screening for pregnancy, HIV, and other abuse-related conditions. Onyema further promised that all 150 girls on their repatriation list would be flown home and rehabilitated. Sunday’s operation marks the beginning of a broader mission to rescue remaining victims, as the country rallies to restore hope and humanity to those affected by trafficking.
