ABUJA: Twelve Nigerians evacuated from the Central African Republic CAR have recounted harrowing experiences of sexual assault, withheld salaries and degrading treatment while working for Chinese-owned companies.
The victims, whose video plea for help surfaced online about three weeks ago, arrived in Abuja and visited the headquarters of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM, where they were received by the Chairperson/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and senior officials.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Igorigo Freeborn revealed that they endured months of hardship, including 11 months without pay and were subjected to homosexual abuses by their employers.
He said; “I am not ashamed to speak out so others can learn. We were abandoned in the forest after work, without food or shelter. For 20 months, we suffered until the Federal Government intervened. I used to think nothing good could come from Nigeria, but the speed of the rescue changed my mind.”
Freeborn expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria’s ambassador to CAR, NIDCOM, the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, the Immigration Service and other agencies for securing their release and safe return.
He recalled that with government support, they were relocated from remote work sites to Bangui, given medical treatment and eventually repatriated to Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa condemned the abuses, describing them as “inhumane,” and promised that the case would be pursued in line with the administration’s citizen diplomacy policy.
She also encouraged the returnees to join NIDCOM’s campaign against irregular migration.
To assist their reintegration, each returnee received a cash donation from NIDCOM. The Commission also appealed to individuals and corporate bodies to support the men as they rebuild their lives.
In addition, a financial contribution from Perchstone and Greys, delivered by Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr Tolu Aderemi of the JAALS Foundation, was handed to the evacuees as seed capital for small ventures or family support.
The other rescued workers were named as 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.
