Air Peace has successfully repatriated 78 Nigerian women trafficked to Côte d’Ivoire under the false pretense of employment.
The airline deployed a Boeing 737 aircraft (registration 5N-BQV) from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos to Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan on Saturday, where it landed to pick up the victims and return them to Nigeria, all free of charge.
Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, emphasized the importance of restoring the dignity of the women, noting that they had endured unimaginable hardship.
“These women deserve not only to be brought home, but also to be treated with care and respect,” Onyema said. He also announced that the airline would cover all medical expenses for the women, ensuring they receive comprehensive care at Duchess Hospital in Lagos.
Onyema highlighted the emotional impact of the operation, describing how the women expressed joy and a renewed sense of belonging on the flight home.
“This is about making them feel human again. They were dehumanized abroad. Now they are going to see that their country values them,” he said.
The role of social media activist VeryDarkMan, whose advocacy brought the women’s plight to national attention, was also acknowledged by Onyema.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against human trafficking networks that continue to exploit vulnerable individuals.
At the reception in Lagos, Binta Bello, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), commended the joint effort that led to the successful rescue and reiterated the agency’s commitment to combat human trafficking.
“This is a proud moment for Nigeria. We welcome these women home with open arms and a commitment to help them rebuild their lives,” Bello said.
She also announced that traffickers involved in the case had been arrested and would face justice.
The Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire and the local Nigerian community also played a key role in supporting the mission. Chargée d’Affaires Paul Obi and community leader Michael Onwuchelu coordinated the logistics and documentation required to facilitate the operation.
Obi expressed gratitude for the successful repatriation, saying, “These young women were lured with false hopes and ended up in dire conditions. Bringing them home has restored not just their freedom, but their sense of humanity.”
He also praised Dr. Onyema for his unwavering support, stating, “This mission reflects the spirit of unity and compassion that defines us as Nigerians.”