Nigerian Community in Ivory Coast Calls for Unity in Fight Against Human Trafficking

Nigerian Community in Ivory Coast Calls for Unity in Fight Against Human Trafficking

Abidjan, Ivory Coast – In the wake of widespread public concern over allegations of human trafficking involving Nigerian nationals in Ivory Coast, the Nigerian community leadership in the country has called for collaboration and unity, emphasizing that the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians—particularly children—must remain the top priority.

The issue came to national prominence following a viral video by popular social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM), which shed light on the reported trafficking of young Nigerian girls in the West African country. The video mentioned the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and its Chairperson, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, sparking heated reactions both online and offline.

Reacting to the controversy, the President of the Nigerian Community in Ivory Coast, Mr. Onwuchelu Michael Emeka, released a statement clarifying the community’s stance and distancing it from any suggestion of disloyalty to the Nigerian government.

“Our meeting with VeryDarkMan was conducted in good faith and with a genuine desire to address the trafficking crisis affecting Nigerians here,” Mr. Emeka stated. “We discussed critical issues and appreciated his passion, but we were unaware that the engagement would generate such public outcry. Our intentions were solely to find solutions, not to create division or cast aspersions on any institution.”

Mr. Emeka emphasized the need for synergy between stakeholders.

“We believe NIDCOM and advocacy voices like VeryDarkMan can—and should—work together. When it comes to protecting our children, we must build bridges, not walls. It is only through unity that real progress can be made.”

The community leader also commended the Nigerian Embassy in Ivory Coast for its ongoing support and praised Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her longstanding dedication to the Nigerian diaspora.

“We acknowledge NIDCOM’s proactive interventions and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s consistent efforts in safeguarding diaspora welfare. At the same time, we value advocacy that brings hidden issues to light. Both approaches are essential to achieving a safer environment for Nigerians abroad,” he added.

As part of efforts to enhance collaboration, Mr. Emeka revealed that the Nigerian community in Ivory Coast is planning a series of strategic visits to relevant stakeholders in Nigeria, including NIDCOM, to align on best practices for diaspora engagement and safety.

“We owe it to our people to work in unity—especially for the younger generation. The protection of Nigerians abroad must remain a shared national responsibility,” he stressed.

In a new development, VeryDarkMan announced via his Instagram page that the RATEL Movement has donated ₦20 million to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), through the Movement for Voice of the Innocent (MVOI), to support the repatriation and rehabilitation of trafficked Nigerian children and other victims.

“We call on immigration authorities to also step up efforts to protect our children, especially the girl child,” VDM stated in the post.

In a show of further support, Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, has pledged to provide free air transportation for the safe return of the trafficked girls from Ivory Coast back to Nigeria.

The ongoing efforts highlight a growing collective resolve among government agencies, diaspora communities, and civil society advocates to combat human trafficking and ensure the safety of Nigerian citizens both at home and abroad.