* Stranded ladies in their room
Nigerians trafficked and stranded in Lebanon, who appeared in a video appealing for help have been rescued and relocated to a more conducive apartment by the Nigerian Mission in Lebanon.
An online statement issued by the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abuja, Gabriel Odu, said that they will be part of 150 others trafficked and stranded in Lebanon to be evacuated back to Nigeria.
The Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Houssam Diab disclosed the evacuation plans when the management of NIDCOM, led by the Secretary Engr. Dr Sule Yakubu Bassi visited the Embassy in Abuja.
Ambassador Diab stated that the 150 girls would be returned home in batches, adding that the first batch of 110 will leave Beirut, Lebanon on August 12, 2020 to Lagos while the second batch would be returned to Abuja on August 16, 2020.
The Diplomat commended the efforts of the Lebanese Community and the Oyo State Government, who is sponsoring the return of 55 of the girls.
In the same vein, the Secretary to Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Dr Sule Yakubi Bassi on behalf of the Chairman/CEO NIDCOM, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa has applauded the excellent ties existing between Nigeria and Lebanon and urged both countries to sustain the cordial relationship.
Bassi also commended the dedication and commitment of Nigerian Ambassador to Lebanon, Amb. Goni Madu Zanna Bura, Mission staff, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Oyo and Ogun State Governments and other strategic partners.
As part of the Nigerian Embassy’s Consular responsibility, the ladies on the said video that went viral and many other distressed Nigerian domestic workers were located and relocated to a safer place.
One hundred and fifty of these stranded victims are expected to be evacuated next week and handed over to National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the agency responsible for trafficking
A breakdown of the stranded Nigerians indicates that Oyo State has the highest number with 41, followed by Osun 26, Ogun 21, Ondo 18, Lagos 12, Kwara 9 and Ekiti 6.
Others are : Imo , Delta 3 while Enugu, Kogi, Edo, Ebonyi, Benue, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Anambra states have one each
