The outrage that greeted the viral video of 12 Nigerian workers allegedly mistreated and abandoned by their Chinese employers in mining firms in Central African Republic (CAR), has elicited strong reactions from the Nigerian and Chinese governments.
The Nigerian public is crying for justice as the pathetic stories of alleged sexual abuse and abandonment leveled against Chinese enterprises in CAR was given more detail when the bitter experience of the 12 Nigerian workers that were recently rescued by the Nigerian government came to the fore.
The rescued workers include, Igorigo Freeborn, Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.
Others were Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the spokesman of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abdur Rahman Balogun, it was an emotionally laden moment for the rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in CAR as they narrated how their Chinese employers sexually abused all of them while working for the Miners..
The 12 stranded Nigerian men who arrived in Nigeria after their rescue paid a visit to the NIDCOM office and were received by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/ CEO of NIDCOM in Abuja on Friday as well as management staff.
The leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn narrated their ordeal of 11- month salary arrears and sorrowfully lamented how they were homosexually abused by the 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.
“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.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.
The harrowing experience of the past twenty months suffered by the hapless workers has elicited pleas for justice made on the Nigerian government for appropriate action against the employers, who meted out such disgraceful acts against the Nigerians.
Being left stranded in the forest after work without payment and wallowing in squalid, starving, harsh and unsafe living conditions was indeed a desperate moment but with the support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, CAR capital provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.
A visibly disturbed Dabiri-Erewa, warned of the consequences that will befall any firm that treated Nigerians in such inhumane manner even as she assured the victims that justice will be served as the Commission in conjunction with relevant government agencies would take up the matter on their behalf in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
It was also commendable that NIDCOM through Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.
Another cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, were given to all the 12 returnees. This is to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.
In a similar development, the Chinese Government has taken steps to seek justice for the workers and bring succor to them.
The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria said it attaches great importance to this matter and has initiated an immediate investigation, which continues to ascertain the facts.
“The Chinese government consistently mandates that all Chinese enterprises and citizens operating abroad strictly comply with local laws and regulations, ensuring all business operations fully adhere to local legal frameworks.
“The Chinese side will urge the involved companies to address this matter appropriately, maintain close communications with the Nigerian authorities throughout the investigation, and work together to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of citizens of both nations,” a statement from the Chinese embassy in Abuja said.
As much as the two governments are making efforts to seek justice for the Nigerians, it has become incumbent on the Nigerians to avoid irregular migration because it is fraught with danger and most times make government rescue efforts very difficult.
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