The 12 Nigerian workers trapped in the forests of the Central African Republic (CAR), have finally arrived home, narrating the bitter ordeal they were put through by their Chinese employers in that country.
The returnees told of how they were sexually molested and have not being paid for over ten months.
A statement by the Director of Media and Protocols at Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mr. Abdulrrahman Balogun, said they were received by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM and management staff of the commission in Abuja on Friday.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Igorigo Freeborn said aside being owed 11 months salary, “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.
“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.”
The leader of the rescued workers also expressed his appreciation to the president and all government agencies involved, for the prompt effort made to not only to evacuate them from the forests, but also return them safely to Nigeria.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ,NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.
He further pleaded with the Nigerian government to help them get justice as they had been through a lot of difficulties since leaving Nigeria 20 months ago, stressing that their employers (Chinese) abandoned them in the forest after their work was done, without payment to starve under critical weather conditions.
However, with support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.
Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO NiDCOM, welcomed the group and promised that working with other government agencies, the commission will see that the matter gets the attention it needs, and justice will be served.
The Chairman who roundly condemned the inhumane actions of their employers also counselled them to be of good behaviour, urging them to work with the commission in its advocacy against illegal and irregular migration amongst Nigerians.
To facilitate their re-integration, Dabiri-Erewa gave the returnees some cash support on behalf of NiDCOM, while calling on kind Nigerians and corporate organisations to help cushion their re-settlement.
A cash donation 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, was given to all the 12 returnees.
Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.
Other rescued workers are Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.
Including Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.