It was an emotionally laden moment for the rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in the Central African Republic as they narrated how their Chinese employers sexually abused all of them while working for the miners there, just as succour came with their rescue by the Federal government.
The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived in Nigeria and paid a visit to the NIDCOM office.
An E-signed statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols NIDCOM, Abdurrahman Balogun, in Abuja on Friday, said the victims were received by Chairman/ CEO NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as well as management staff in Abuja on Friday.
While recounting their ordeal, leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn, said it was important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months’ salaries, “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.
“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.
Freeborn said they suffered “a lot” in the past 20 months they left Nigeria.
He pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.
He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment, leaving them starving in harsh and unsafe living conditions.
“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”, the statement read in part.
Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice would be served as the Commission, in conjunction with relevant government agencies, would take up the matter on their behalf.
The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.
NIDCOM then gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them to settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.
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Dibiri-Erewa also called on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down in the country.
A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, was given to all 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.
Source: Channels TV
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