Stranded Nigerian Mining Stranded in CAR Reaches County’s Embassy in Bangui

A contingent of Nigerian miners stranded in the Central African Republic (CAR) has successfully reached the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui.

This development arises subsequent to a viral video plea for assistance from the miners, which catalyzed an immediate and decisive intervention by officials from the Nigerian Embassy and CAR security forces.

Per a statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit at NIDCOM, the miners were reportedly ensnared by a purported employment scam orchestrated by a Chinese national in conjunction with a Nigerian agent.

They had been recruited for work in CAR but were forsaken without compensation for a harrowing period of 11 months, leaving them traumatized, enfeebled, and distressed.

The statement proclaims: “The stranded Nigerians in the Central African Republic have finally reached the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui.

“It should be recalled that, following a viral video, several Nigerian miners appealed for assistance, prompting the immediate intervention and swift response from officials of the Nigerian Embassy and CAR security forces, who escorted them from their location to the capital.

“The journey to Bangui spanned several days, with the Nigerians, victims of a Chinese national and a Nigerian agent who engaged them for work in the country and subsequently abandoned them without remuneration for 11 months, clearly traumatized, weakened, and distressed, calling for rescue.

“They are now in the secure hands of officials at the Nigerian Embassy, who will orchestrate their return to their homeland. They expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and staff from both nations, the Nigerian Embassy, CAR security agencies, and the Nigerian populace who amplified their plight.

“The agent responsible for enticing them into the employment scam is currently based in Nigeria and has been identified, with expectations of prosecution.

“The relieved victims conveyed their appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Ambassador Babagana Ahmed in Bangui, and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for promptly addressing their appeal for rescue.”