Twelve Nigerian workers rescued from forced labour in the Central African Republic (CAR) have returned home with disturbing accounts of abuse, including allegations of sexual assault by their Chinese employers.
The men, whose plight came to public attention through a viral video three weeks ago, were formally received in Abuja on Friday by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Speaking on behalf of the group, their leader, Igorigo Freeborn, said they were subjected to months of unpaid labour and sexual abuse.
“We were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.
I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. They owed us 11 months of salaries.
We were treated badly there, but thank God we are alive to tell our stories,” Freeborn said in a statement issued by NIDCOM spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
He explained that the group endured nearly two years of hardship after leaving Nigeria in search of greener pastures.
Freeborn expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for intervening swiftly after their video appeal, noting, “I used to think nothing good could come out of Nigeria, but we were so happy to receive help and succour from our own country.”
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Mission in Bangui, coordinated the workers’ relocation to the CAR capital, provided them with medical care, and facilitated their safe return.
Dabiri-Erewa described the treatment meted out to the Nigerians as inhumane and unacceptable, assuring that the government would pursue justice.
She urged the returnees to help educate others about the dangers of irregular migration.
As part of their reintegration, NIDCOM provided financial support to the men, with additional donations presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation.
The rescued Nigerians 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 pledged to work with relevant agencies to ensure the Chinese employers allegedly responsible for the abuse are brought to justice.ployers of sexual abuse in Central African Republic
Twelve Nigerian workers rescued from forced labour in the Central African Republic (CAR) have returned home with disturbing accounts of abuse, including allegations of sexual assault by their Chinese employers.
The men, whose plight came to public attention through a viral video three weeks ago, were formally received in Abuja on Friday by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Speaking on behalf of the group, their leader, Igorigo Freeborn, said they were subjected to months of unpaid labour and sexual abuse.
“We were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.
I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. They owed us 11 months of salaries.
We were treated badly there, but thank God we are alive to tell our stories,” Freeborn said in a statement issued by NIDCOM spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
He explained that the group endured nearly two years of hardship after leaving Nigeria in search of greener pastures.
Freeborn expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for intervening swiftly after their video appeal, noting, “I used to think nothing good could come out of Nigeria, but we were so happy to receive help and succour from our own country.”
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Mission in Bangui, coordinated the workers’ relocation to the CAR capital, provided them with medical care, and facilitated their safe return.
Dabiri-Erewa described the treatment meted out to the Nigerians as inhumane and unacceptable, assuring that the government would pursue justice.
She urged the returnees to help educate others about the dangers of irregular migration.
As part of their reintegration, NIDCOM provided financial support to the men, with additional donations presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation.
The rescued Nigerians 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 pledged to work with relevant agencies to ensure the Chinese employers allegedly responsible for the abuse are brought to justice.