It was a deeply emotional moment for the 12 rescued Nigerian workers who returned from the Central African Republic (CAR), as they recounted the horrific abuse they endured while working for Chinese mining companies.
The men revealed they were not only denied 11 months of salaries but also subjected to sexual abuse by their employers before the Nigerian government intervened.
The stranded workers, whose viral video sparked public outrage three weeks ago, finally arrived in Nigeria and paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) office in Abuja.
In an e-signed statement released by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdurrahman Balogun, on Friday, the victims were formally received by the Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, alongside senior management staff.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Igorigo Freeborn said, “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. We were treated badly there, but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.”
Freeborn, who admitted to once doubting Nigeria’s capacity to protect its citizens abroad, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NIDCOM, NEMA, Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Embassy in CAR for their swift intervention.
He explained how the men suffered for over 20 months, stranded in the forest without pay, food, or safe shelter. With the coordinated support of government agencies, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical treatment, and eventually brought back to Nigeria.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa condemned the abuse as inhumane and assured the returnees that justice would be pursued in line with President Tinubu’s citizen diplomacy agenda. She also urged them to partner with NIDCOM in raising awareness about the dangers of irregular migration.
The Commission provided cash support to the returnees while awaiting their unpaid salaries. Additional financial assistance came from Perchstone and Greys, represented by Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation. Adenugba explained that the donation was aimed at helping the evacuees rebuild their lives, support their families, and create opportunities in Nigeria.
The other rescued workers include 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.
What you should know
The 12 Nigerian workers were lured to the Central African Republic for mining jobs but ended up unpaid and subjected to sexual abuse by their Chinese employers.
Their rescue was facilitated by the Nigerian government through NIDCOM, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other agencies, marking a strong intervention under President Bola Tinubu’s citizen diplomacy policy.
