The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the repatriation of 115 Nigerian nationals, who were victims of human trafficking, from Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed in a statement on Saturday that the returnees would arrive in Lagos by 3 p.m. via a special Air Peace flight at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
“The Ministry wishes to inform that 115 Nigerian nationals, victims of trafficking, will be repatriated from Abidjan, Ivory Coast, today via a special Air Peace flight at no cost to the Nigerian Government,” the statement read.
This development follows a promise made by Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, who pledged to bring back trafficked underage Nigerian girls from the Ivory Coast free of charge.
In a post on the airline’s official X handle, Onyema condemned the trafficking of young girls, calling it “inhumane, callous, and ungodly,” and urged collective action to combat the scourge.
“We, at Air Peace, are ready to bring our fellow citizens home free of charge,” Onyema stated. “Additionally, we will provide all returnees with free medical care at Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja.”
He also urged the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire to coordinate the return effort and appealed to the Federal Government to support the victims’ reintegration and education.