BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Soothing news came the way of numerous underaged Nigerian girls trafficked to Côte d’Ivoire for sex and other illegal activities, as the Chairman of Air Peace Group, Dr Allen Onyema, has pledged to fly them back home to reunite with their families.
The development was unearthed by a social activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
Expressing deep outrage over the situation, Dr. Onyema strongly condemned human trafficking, describing it as a grave affront to humanity and a reflection of moral decay.
“We should discourage trafficking of any kind. It is inhumane and callous. It is absolutely ungodly and a good example of man’s inhumanity to man,” he said.
In a demonstration of solidarity and compassion, Dr. Onyema announced that Air Peace is prepared to repatriate the victims at no cost.
“We, in Air Peace, are ready to bring our fellow citizens back home free of charge,” he affirmed.
Going a step further, he revealed that upon their return, the girls would receive full medical attention at no cost.
“We are going to send all of them to Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja for free medical examination and treatment,” he added.
Dr. Onyema also appealed to relevant authorities to act swiftly:
“While we implore the Nigerian Embassy in Cote D’Ivoire to assemble them and reach out to us, we equally call on the Federal Government to take charge of their education while reuniting them with their families,” he urged.
Air Peace’s gesture, according to social scientists, reflects a growing call for collaborative national response to the scourge of human trafficking.
It also accentuates the need for holistic rehabilitation of the victims and the quick prosecution of the culprits.
