Air Peace Offers to Fly Trafficked Nigerian Girls Back Home, Providing Medical Care and Support

 

Air Peace Chair Calls for Action as Nigerian Girls Fall Victim to Human Trafficking in Ivory Coast

In a heartfelt statement released over the weekend, Dr. Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace Airlines, expressed his deep concern over the recent revelation of Nigerian underage girls trafficked to Côte d'Ivoire. Onyema, who took immediate action following the disturbing reports, vowed to ensure the safe return of these girls to Nigeria, offering his airline’s services free of charge.

The discovery was brought to light by social media influencer, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, who shared a chilling account of more than 1,200 Nigerian girls being trafficked to Ivory Coast. According to Otse, many of these girls are in distressing conditions and are living in dire circumstances, separated from their families and subjected to exploitation.

Otse’s video, which showed the trafficked girls, captured the raw emotional pain of these young victims. In the video, the girls, visibly distressed, were seen speaking in Hausa, pleading for help. In his online post, Otse also made a bold threat to Abike Dabiri, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), warning that if the Nigerian government did not act within one week, he would take legal action. The video quickly garnered attention, sparking widespread outrage and a sense of urgency regarding the matter.

Responding swiftly, Dr. Onyema condemned the trafficking of Nigerian citizens, especially minors, emphasizing that such actions were not only inhumane but also contrary to basic moral and religious principles. He stated, “We must discourage trafficking in any form. It is cruel, heartless, and goes against all human decency. This is a gross violation of basic human rights, and we must come together to stop it.”

Dr. Onyema made it clear that Air Peace would not stand idly by in the face of such an atrocity. He offered to fly the trafficked girls back to Nigeria, stating that the airline would cover all expenses for the flight. “Air Peace is committed to bringing our fellow citizens home, and we will do so at no cost to the girls or their families,” Onyema said. This offer is a powerful gesture of solidarity, highlighting the airline’s commitment to the well-being of Nigerians, especially vulnerable individuals caught in traumatic circumstances.

In addition to the return flights, Onyema assured the public that his company would go a step further to ensure the girls’ physical and mental health were prioritized. Upon arrival in Nigeria, the trafficked girls will receive immediate medical attention, with free examinations and treatment at Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos. Onyema explained that the medical support was crucial in helping the victims recover from the ordeal they had endured while in Côte d'Ivoire.

“I cannot stand by and watch young Nigerians suffer in this way. It is an urgent issue that needs our collective attention. Air Peace is prepared to help in any way possible, but we also need the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire to collaborate with us in organizing the return of these girls,” Onyema urged. He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts, with the Nigerian government playing an active role in ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad.

The airline also called on the Nigerian government to take responsibility for the education and reintegration of the girls once they returned home. “These girls need to be supported in their reintegration into Nigerian society. They must be provided with the necessary tools to rebuild their lives, including education and counseling,” Onyema remarked. He urged the Nigerian authorities to take the necessary steps to reunite the girls with their families and ensure that they were not left to fend for themselves after such a traumatic experience.

The trafficked girls' plight has exposed significant gaps in the fight against human trafficking, a crime that continues to plague many parts of the world. In recent years, Nigeria has become a source country for human trafficking, with victims often lured by promises of better opportunities abroad, only to find themselves subjected to exploitation and abuse. The tragic situation in Côte d'Ivoire serves as a reminder of the need for stronger international collaboration to combat trafficking networks and protect vulnerable populations, particularly minors.

In his closing remarks, Onyema reiterated the importance of taking collective action to address the issue of human trafficking, calling it an urgent and pressing concern. “We all have a role to play in putting an end to human trafficking. It is a crime that affects us all, and we must work together to protect our children and our communities from this despicable act,” he said.

As the Nigerian government, international organizations, and humanitarian groups work together to address the crisis, the efforts of individuals like Dr. Onyema and the support of Air Peace demonstrate the power of solidarity in the face of injustice. The swift response to the plight of these trafficked girls offers hope that more will be done to prevent such horrors from occurring in the future.