Nosa Aituamen
Chairman of one of the domestic airlines, Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, has pledged to assist in bringing back the recent trafficking underaged Nigerian girls to Ivory Coast.
Beyond repatriation, Dr. Onyema revealed that the girls would also receive free medical check-ups and treatment at Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, underlining the need for both physical and psychological rehabilitation for the victims.
His reaction follows disturbing revelations made by social media activist VeryDarkMan, who exposed the plight of several trafficked Nigerian minors in the West African country.
In a statement, Dr. Onyema expressed deep concern over the growing trend of human trafficking involving young Nigerian girls, calling for a united front to combat the crime and rescue victims.
He pledged Air Peace’s full support in bringing the victims back to Nigeria at no cost.
“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. We, in Air Peace, are ready to bring our fellow citizens back home free of charge.”
He also called on the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire to quickly identify and assemble the trafficked individuals, and urged them to establish contact with Air Peace to facilitate their return.
In addition, Dr. Onyema appealed to the Federal Government to assume responsibility for the girls’ education and help reunite them with their families.
“This is not just a rescue mission; it is a call to our collective conscience. These are our daughters, sisters, and fellow citizens. We must not abandon them”.
Dr. Onyema’s response has sparked widespread praise across social media, with many commending his prompt humanitarian intervention and commitment to national values.
The incident has also reignited conversations around the protection of vulnerable populations and the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-trafficking frameworks.
As authorities investigate the trafficking network behind this latest case, calls are growing louder for regional cooperation, stronger law enforcement, and community education to prevent future exploitation of Nigerian youths abroad.