The Federal Government has secured the release of six Nigerian women who were detained in Cape Verde on what have now been confirmed as false allegations of human trafficking. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 16, confirmed that the women have been freed and have since departed the country.
The statement, signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, revealed that the Nigerian Mission in Guinea Bissau actively engaged with Cape Verdean authorities to facilitate the release. The ministry disclosed that the women had travelled to Cape Verde for a holiday when they were unexpectedly detained on trafficking charges that were ultimately proven to be baseless.
Expressing satisfaction with the resolution, the Ministry reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad. It stated, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to happily inform you that the Nigerian nationals (ladies) who were detained in Cape Verde have all been released and have left the country, too. The Ministry engaged Cape Verde authorities via our Mission in Guinea Bissau to secure their release. The six ladies travelled to Cape Verde for a holiday and were unfortunately detained on allegations of trafficking, which turned out to be false.”
