Ten Nigerian teenage girls, recently rescued from Ghana, have returned to Nigeria for comprehensive counselling and rehabilitation, PUNCH Online learnt.
In a series of videos that went viral on X.com on June 6, 2024, the young girls, aged 15 to 18, were reported to have been lured into prostitution in Ghana.
The rescue of the 10 trafficked Nigerian teenagers was reportedly conducted by the Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation in Ghana.
Responding to PUNCH Online’s inquiry on Friday night, the NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, through the commission’s spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the girls arrived at the Lagos International Airport on Tuesday night, June 11, 2024, accompanied by representatives from the Imo State Governor’s office, including the Deputy Speaker and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, as well as staff from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
Upon arrival, the girls were received and profiled by officials from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
They are now under the custody of the governments of the Imo and Plateau States, where they will undergo proper counselling and rehabilitation.
The NiDCOM Boss assured that NAPTIP will continue to monitor the girls’ progress and ensure they receive the necessary support and care.
She said, “The girls arrived at Lagos International Airport on Tuesday night, accompanied by the representatives of the Imo State Governor (the deputy Speaker) and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and NiDCOM Staff.
“They were received and received by officials of NAPTIP.
“They are now in the custody of Imo and Plateau for proper counselling and rehabilitation.
“NAPTIP will be following up on them.”