Air Peace in Humanitarian Gesture, Flies Trafficked Nigerian Women Back
In a remarkable display of compassion and corporate social responsibility, Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, has successfully repatriated 78 Nigerian women who were trafficked to Côte d’Ivoire under false pretenses of employment.
The airline deployed a Boeing 737 aircraft to carry out the humanitarian mission, which was undertaken entirely free of charge.
The flight, which departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Saturday, landed at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan before returning with the rescued women on the same day.
Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, emphasized the importance of restoring the dignity of the rescued women, who had endured unimaginable hardship while being trafficked.
“These women have been through a horrific experience, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they receive the care and respect they deserve,” Onyema said.
To that end, Air Peace has arranged for the women to receive comprehensive medical care, free of charge, at Duchess Hospital.
The airline will cover all expenses, including testing and treatment, as part of its commitment to supporting the victims.
The repatriation effort was a collaborative one, with social media activist VeryDarkMan playing a key role in bringing the women’s plight to national attention.
Onyema praised the activist’s efforts and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against human trafficking networks.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Binta Bello, also commended the collaboration that made the rescue possible and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combatting human trafficking.
At a reception in Lagos, Bello welcomed the women home with open arms and a commitment to help them rebuild their lives.
“This is a proud moment for Nigeria. We will never tolerate human trafficking, and those responsible will face justice,” she said.
The Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire and the Nigerian community there also played a crucial role in supporting the repatriation effort, with Chargée d’Affaires Paul Obi and community leader Michael Onwuchelu coordinating documentation and logistics on the ground.
Obi praised Air Peace for its role in the mission, saying, “This reflects the spirit of unity and compassion that defines us as Nigerians. We thank Dr. Onyema for not turning his back on our people.”
The successful repatriation of the trafficked women is a testament to the power of collaboration and corporate social responsibility, and serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals.
