UPDATE: Nigerian Lady Sold Into Slavery In Lebanon, Finally Rescued By Federal Government

A 23-year-old Nigerian lady, Omolola Ajayi, who was sold into slavery in Lebanon, has been rescued by the Nigerian government after a video of herself crying for help went viral.

KanyiDaily had published a video of Omolola crying out help, revealing how a close family friend sold her into slavery in Lebanon, under the guise that she was going to teach English language in the country.

The Federal Government has now confirmed that it has successfully rescued Omolola Ajayi from her captors and she is now with the Nigerian Consulate in Lebanon, adding that she will be reunited with her family in the North.

A Whatsapp message sent out by spokesman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abdul-Rahman Balogun read:

“Update on the trafficked Nigerian girl to Lebanon. She is now happily in the hands of the Nigerian ambassador in Beirut. She will be home soon.”

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of NIDCOM, also confirmed the rescue of Omolola on her Twitter page. She wrote:

“Breaking news. Update on the viral video of trafficked Nigerian girl in Lebanon. She is now happily in the hands of the Nigerian Amb in Beirut, received warmly and happy to be in safe hands. She will be home soon by Gods grace.”

“The alleged trafficker has been arrested and will be handed over to NAPTIP.The family of the lady have been traced ..Kwara Gov is personally on the matter. All hands on deck to ensure the trafficked lady returns.”

https://twitter.com/abikedabiri/status/1216767739005566977

Following investigations into the trafficking, the Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said in a statement that two Nigerians and a Lebanese had been arrested in connection to the crime. He said:

“The case will soon be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the rising trend of human trafficking in the country, calling it inhuman and unacceptable. The governor warned that anyone caught should face the full weight of the law.

“The governor is horrified by the video footage of one Ms Omolola Ajayi, who is a victim of human trafficking. Omolola, whose parents live in the Kwara State capital Ilorin, was tricked into travelling to Lebanon in the guise of engaging her as an English tutor. It turned out to be a case of human trafficking and slavery.

“Apart from Ms Ajayi, discreet investigations by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Kwara State have revealed that there are at least 28 other victims of this horrible trafficking gang.”