Twelve Nigerian men who were stranded and abused while working in the Central African Republic (CAR) have returned home, sharing a heartbreaking account of their ordeal under Chinese employers.
The workers, whose desperate video plea circulated online three weeks ago, were trapped in CAR for over 20 months. They alleged that their Chinese employers not only withheld 11 months of salaries but also subjected them to sexual abuse.
“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it,” said Igorigo Freeborn, the group’s spokesperson. “We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the story.”
Their cry for help prompted immediate action from Nigerian authorities. With support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui, the men were relocated from the forest to Bangui, given medical care, and flown back to Nigeria
On August 15, the returnees were received in Abuja by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chair of NIDCOM. She condemned the abuse as “inhumane” and assured them that justice would be pursued in line with President Tinubu’s citizen diplomacy agenda.
“We will take up this matter with the relevant authorities. Justice will be served,” Dabiri-Erewa affirmed.
To help them reintegrate, NIDCOM provided cash support and called on corporate organizations and well-meaning Nigerians to assist the returnees. The Commission also urged them to join advocacy efforts against irregular migration.
The 12 men include 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.
