Twelve Nigerian men who were recently rescued from forced labour in the Central African Republic have returned home with harrowing tales of abuse, including allegations of sexual assault by their Chinese employers.
The group, whose plea for help went viral in a video three weeks ago, were received in Abuja on Friday by the Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Speaking on behalf of the group, their leader, Igorigo Freeborn, gave a moving account of their ordeal, revealing that 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 signed by the NiDCOM spokesperson, Abdur-rahman Balogun.
According to Freeborn in the statement, the workers endured nearly two years of hardship after they left Nigeria in search of better opportunities.
He thanked the Nigerian government for intervening swiftly after their situation became public, saying, “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.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, NIDCOM, NEMA, Immigration and all those who helped.”
Following the video appeal, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Mission in Bangui, coordinated efforts to relocate the workers to the CAR capital, provide them with medical attention, and ensure their safe return home.
In her address, Dabiri-Erewa condemned the abuses as inhumane and unacceptable, assuring the returnees that the government would pursue justice on their behalf, the statement added.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu stands firmly against the mistreatment of any Nigerian anywhere in the world, she said.
She also urged the returnees to be advocates against irregular migration and to support efforts aimed at educating other Nigerians about the dangers of such journeys.
As part of their reintegration, NIDCOM provided the returnees with financial support.
Additional donations came from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation.
The names of the rescued workers 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 has vowed to work closely with relevant agencies to ensure that the Chinese employers responsible for the alleged abuse are held accountable.
