It was an emotional scene in Abuja on Friday as 12 Nigerian workers rescued from the Central African Republic (CAR) recounted harrowing tales of abuse at the hands of their Chinese employers.
The returnees, who gained public attention through a viral video three weeks ago, were formally received at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) office by its Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Their testimonies highlighted months of unpaid wages, inhumane treatment, and shocking abuse.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Igorigo Freeborn revealed their ordeal with trembling honesty.
“We were homosexu@lly 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,” he said.
Freeborn added that their employers owed them 11 months’ salaries, leaving them stranded and starving in a foreign land.
He admitted that he once doubted Nigeria’s ability to protect its citizens abroad but was overwhelmed by the swift intervention.
“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.”
The men spent 20 months in the Central African Republic, enduring unsafe working conditions and abandonment in a forest before being rescued.
With support from the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NIDCOM, NEMA, and Nigeria’s mission in CAR, they were relocated to Bangui, treated medically, and finally brought home.
Welcoming them, NIDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa condemned the ordeal, calling it “inhumane.”
She assured them that the matter would not be swept aside. “Justice will be served as the Commission, in conjunction with relevant government agencies, will take up the matter on their behalf,” she stated.
In addition, she emphasized the importance of citizen diplomacy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, while encouraging the returnees to join NIDCOM’s campaign against irregular migration.
The commission also offered cash support to help them settle as efforts to recover their unpaid salaries continue.
“We urge well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the rescued men as they rebuild their lives,”Dabiri-Erewa appealed.
The victims, including Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun, Olayemi Peter Adewale, Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala, and Yusuf Bameyi, have pleaded for government support to seek redress against their abusers.
Their painful story has sparked nationwide sympathy, raising fresh concerns over the exploitation of Nigerians abroad.
