Twelve Nigerian miners who were recently rescued from the Central African Republic (CAR) have shared harrowing accounts of abuse, including sexual assault, starvation, and unpaid labour by their Chinese employers.
The men were received in Abuja by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) after a viral video of their appeal for help caught national attention.
Speaking at NIDCOM headquarters, one of the miners, Igorigo Freeborn, said they were abandoned in remote mining areas without food, shelter, or medical care, and were owed salaries for up to 11 months.
“We were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers and left in the forest to die. It was a horrible experience,” Freeborn said.
He expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for their rescue, saying it changed his perception of the country.
“I used to believe nothing good could come from Nigeria, but this support showed me otherwise,” he added.
The rescue was made possible through the efforts of the Nigerian Mission in CAR, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NIDCOM, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service, and other agencies.
NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned the abuse as inhumane and unacceptable. She assured the returnees that the Nigerian government would investigate the matter and pursue diplomatic action.
“This is unacceptable. No Nigerian should suffer this kind of abuse anywhere in the world. We will ensure this matter is not swept under the carpet,” she said.
To support their reintegration, NIDCOM gave each returnee a financial relief package and called on well-meaning Nigerians and private organisations to assist further.
The rescued miners are: Igorigo Freeborn, Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun, Olayemi Peter Adewale, Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala, and Yusuf Bameyi.
NIDCOM also encouraged them to join ongoing awareness campaigns against irregular migration by sharing their story to help prevent others from falling into similar traps.
