By Sandra Michaels
The House of Representatives has intensified its efforts to ensure the seamless repatriation and reintegration of Nigerians trafficked to Mali and other West African nations.
Chairperson of the House Committee on Humanitarian Services, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, disclosed this during a public hearing organized by the committee. She emphasized that the task of rehabilitation extends far beyond merely bringing the victims back to the country.
While acknowledging the complexity of the situation, the committee underscored the need for a more robust approach to addressing the plight of citizens caught in the web of human trafficking across the sub-region.
During the hearing, Prince Adefioye Simeon, Operation Consultant to the National Council of Child Rights Advocates of Nigeria (NACCRAN), raised serious concerns regarding the handling of these cases. He accused some officials at the Nigerian Embassy in Mali of a lack of transparency and other procedural irregularities.
Simeon, while detailing instances of maltreatment, poor documentation, and the intimidation of humanitarian workers, noted that NACCRAN had successfully facilitated the return of over ten underage girls between September and December 2025. He credited this success to the support provided by the House Committee and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The consultant, however, urged the House to take decisive action by:
Regulating and intensifying rescue operations for trafficked Nigerians across West Africa.
Directing Nigerian Embassies to formally recognize and collaborate with reputable humanitarian organizations.
Conducting a thorough investigation into the allegations of misconduct leveled against officials at the Nigerian Embassy in Mali.
The committee assured that it would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the welfare of Nigerians abroad remains a top priority and that those responsible for compromising the safety of victims are held accountable.
