By Ebenezer Mabinuola
In a major humanitarian effort, Nigerian airline Air Peace has successfully repatriated 78 Nigerian women who were victims of human trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire. The return flight, fully funded by the airline, departed from Lagos and brought the survivors back from Abidjan over the weekend.
The evacuation, carried out on a Boeing 737 aircraft (5N-BQV), was made possible through the leadership of Air Peace CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, who has become known for using aviation as a tool for national service. The flight, which left Lagos at 2:14 PM and returned at 10:46 PM, was part of a broader initiative to offer not just transport but critical post-rescue care—medical treatment and psychological support included.
Dr. Onyema, who pledged in April to repatriate the victims at no cost, delivered on his promise in full. Speaking after the flight’s arrival, he expressed deep concern over the growing scourge of human trafficking.
“We cannot, in good conscience, turn away while our citizens suffer abroad,” he said. “This is not just about flying planes—this is about lifting people out of despair. Our aircraft must serve a greater good.”
The operation was conducted in partnership with the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan and the Nigerian community living in Côte d’Ivoire. Together, they helped identify and process the victims for their safe return.
Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchekwa, president of the Nigerian Community in Côte d’Ivoire, called the intervention “a divine act,” praising Dr. Onyema’s commitment.
“Dr. Onyema did what many wouldn’t. This was not corporate social responsibility—it was an act of humanity,” he said.
Paul Obi, an official at the Nigerian Embassy, underscored the urgency of the operation. “These young women were in grave danger—undocumented and exploited. Air Peace stepped up when time was against us.”
Among the returnees were minors, pregnant girls, and a few male victims. Many appeared visibly malnourished and traumatized. Some of the young girls had spent over a year in degrading conditions, often beaten and forced into prostitution under the threat of violence.
One 14-year-old girl recounted being lured with promises of domestic work only to be sold into forced sex work. “We were taken deep into the bush where we were forced to work and beaten if we resisted,” she said.
Upon their return, Air Peace committed to covering the cost of medical care for all 150 victims at Duchess Hospital in Ikeja. “They deserve the best. No one should feel less human because of what they’ve endured,” said Onyema.
Despite suffering a financial hit of over ₦400 million due to diplomatic delays and ground time in Abidjan, Dr. Onyema reiterated that saving lives was the priority. “You can’t put a price on human dignity. The real loss would have been in doing nothing,” he said.
NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, welcomed the returnees and vowed that those responsible for their trafficking would face justice. “This is not just a homecoming—it’s a declaration that Nigeria will fight for her daughters.”
She added that some of the women would be placed in shelters, enrolled in vocational training programs, and supported with starter kits to rebuild their lives.
However, not all of the expected returnees could be brought back. Reports indicate that some victims chose to remain behind at the last minute, and rescue operations were hindered by logistical challenges. The Nigerian community in Côte d’Ivoire has also raised alarm over the continued presence of hundreds of Nigerian girls in remote mining areas, urging the government to step up border control and anti-trafficking enforcement across West Africa.
Activist and social media influencer Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, was instrumental in bringing attention to the plight of the victims. His advocacy helped trigger the coordinated effort between Air Peace and NAPTIP.
As more stories of survival and resilience emerge from the victims, the rescue stands as a beacon of hope—and a reminder that combating human trafficking requires more than words. It demands urgent, united action.
