Twelve Nigerian migrant workers, who were recently rescued from the Central African Republic (CAR), have returned home with disturbing accounts of forced labour, withheld salaries, and sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by their Chinese employers.
The group, whose plight became public three weeks ago through a viral video appeal, landed in Abuja on Friday to a warm reception by the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Their safe return was facilitated through the coordinated efforts of the Federal Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Mission in Bangui, and emergency agencies.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Igorigo Freeborn, the team leader, gave an emotional testimony of their ordeal.
According to him, the Nigerians were subjected to nearly two years of harsh labour conditions without pay and, shockingly, were sexually violated by their Chinese handlers.
“We were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR. I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it,” Freeborn said in a statement issued by NiDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
He further revealed that the men were owed 11 months of salaries and constantly threatened while living in inhumane conditions. “We were treated badly, but thank God we are alive to tell our stories,” he added.
Following their viral video plea, Nigerian authorities moved swiftly. The men were relocated to Bangui, the CAR capital, provided with medical attention, and processed for repatriation.
Freeborn expressed gratitude, saying:
“I used to think nothing good could come out of Nigeria, but we were so happy to receive help and succour from our own country. Let me thank President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador, NIDCOM, NEMA, Immigration and all who came to our rescue.”
In her remarks, Abike Dabiri-Erewa condemned the ordeal as “inhumane and unacceptable,” stressing that the administration of President Tinubu would never tolerate the mistreatment of Nigerians abroad.
She also urged the men to become advocates against irregular migration, warning that many Nigerians often fall prey to deceitful recruitment schemes abroad.
As part of their reintegration, the returnees received financial assistance from NIDCOM as well as private donations from Perchstone & Greys on behalf of the JAALS Foundation.
The rescued men—Igorigo Freeborn, 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 now reunited with their families after months of despair.
Analysts say this case underscores the urgent need for Nigeria to strengthen bilateral labour agreements with host countries to prevent the exploitation of its citizens abroad.
Labour rights experts also argue that the issue of sexual violence in labour camps, especially in conflict-prone regions like CAR, demands international attention and legal accountability.
Human rights organisations are calling for a full investigation into the allegations, urging both the Nigerian and CAR governments to ensure that the Chinese employers involved face justice.
This incident also highlights the dangers of irregular migration. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), thousands of Africans are lured abroad with promises of lucrative jobs but end up in conditions akin to modern slavery.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the need for awareness campaigns in rural communities, where many young Nigerians are targeted by fraudulent recruiters. “No job abroad is worth your dignity, safety, and life,” she emphasized.
The return of the 12 Nigerian workers is both a victory of government intervention and a grim reminder of the dangers of human trafficking and labour exploitation abroad.
While they begin the difficult journey of reintegration, their testimonies shed light on the hidden abuses many migrant workers endure in silence.
NiDCOM has vowed to pursue the matter through diplomatic channels to ensure accountability, while urging Nigerians to remain cautious about offers of overseas employment.