Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading airline, has extended a helping hand to rescue Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Ivory Coast, offering to bring them home at no cost. This generous offer follows a heart-wrenching video shared by social media critic Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, showing girls who claimed they were trafficked and forced into sex slavery.
The disturbing video has sparked widespread concern, with the girls detailing their harrowing experiences. Some of the victims stated that they were initially taken to Niger Republic before being transported to Ivory Coast to work in deplorable conditions. One of the girls, a 15-year-old from Ibadan, revealed that she was drugged and trafficked to Ivory Coast.
This revelation has led to a wave of outrage, both locally and internationally. Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace, voiced his concern for the victims and reaffirmed his airline’s commitment to helping bring them back to Nigeria. Onyema expressed his deep dismay at the situation, calling human trafficking “inhumane, callous, and ungodly,” stressing that it is a global issue that needs immediate attention and a collective effort to combat.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Onyema made a public declaration that Air Peace would fly the trafficked girls back to Nigeria for free. In addition to the evacuation, Onyema assured that the airline would provide medical treatment for the girls, offering them free medical examinations and care at Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.
The airline’s involvement highlights the urgent need for action in addressing human trafficking. Onyema stated that Nigeria must work collectively to discourage such trafficking practices, emphasizing that the issue goes beyond just one individual’s responsibility, but is a matter for the whole nation to address. The business mogul encouraged the Nigerian Embassy in Ivory Coast to coordinate the safe return of the girls and to facilitate their assembly for a smooth evacuation process.
“We should discourage trafficking of any kind,” Onyema remarked in a statement. “It is inhumane and callous. It is absolutely ungodly and a good example of man’s inhumanity to man.”
The offer from Air Peace is an act of humanitarianism, but it also places a spotlight on the broader issue of trafficking, which has been plaguing Nigeria and many other countries across Africa. Onyema’s actions have sparked discussions about how the country and the international community can work together to tackle human trafficking, which often targets vulnerable young women and girls.
Onyema also urged the Nigerian government to take action beyond just repatriating the girls. He emphasized that these young victims require more than just a safe return home—they need a proper rehabilitation process, including education, healthcare, and support to reintegrate into society.
He called on the Nigerian government to take charge of these girls’ education and ensure that they are reintegrated with their families in a safe and supportive manner. Many of the victims, especially those trafficked at such a young age, face challenges in adjusting to life after their ordeal. Onyema’s plea highlights the necessity for a well-rounded approach to recovery that includes emotional, physical, and psychological support for the victims of trafficking.
The trafficking of Nigerian women and girls, particularly for sexual exploitation, has been an ongoing issue for years. According to reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Nigeria is one of the largest sources of trafficking victims in West Africa, with many being sent to European countries, the Middle East, and other parts of Africa.
This particular case of trafficking from Nigeria to Ivory Coast sheds light on a growing network of traffickers operating across West Africa. While the victims of this trafficking ring were originally from different parts of Nigeria, many of them were coerced or deceived into traveling to nearby countries, where they were sold into forced labor or prostitution.
The Nigerian government has been working to combat human trafficking through agencies such as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). However, this issue remains a major challenge. As recently as February 2024, NAPTIP successfully rescued 21 minors who had been trafficked for sex. These minors were handed over to the Niger State government for further protection and support.
Earlier in 2024, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) also successfully facilitated the return of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana. These examples demonstrate that while efforts to fight human trafficking are ongoing, more work is needed to tackle the root causes of trafficking and to provide proper support for the victims.
The situation in Ivory Coast is not an isolated case. Nigerian social media users, advocacy groups, and international organizations have continued to draw attention to the issue of trafficking in the country. Public figures like Martin Otse (VeryDarkMan) have played a crucial role in bringing these issues to light. His recent video and the subsequent outcry have prompted action, including Air Peace’s offer, which demonstrates how the private sector can contribute to addressing this pressing issue.
The plight of these girls, who were reportedly taken to Ivory Coast under false pretenses and forced into dangerous situations, underscores the vulnerabilities faced by young women and girls in Nigeria. The traffickers prey on their hopes for a better life, promising jobs or opportunities that turn out to be false. Once in the hands of their captors, these girls are subjected to unimaginable abuse.
Human trafficking is a multifaceted issue, often driven by poverty, lack of education, and gender inequality. Addressing it requires a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, victim support, and strict law enforcement. While repatriation and rescue operations like the one by Air Peace are crucial, they are only part of the solution.
The Nigerian government must prioritize the development of robust systems to prevent trafficking, raise awareness in vulnerable communities, and enforce stronger penalties for traffickers. Additionally, support systems should be established to help survivors of trafficking heal and reintegrate into society.
