FG Pledges To Rescue 435 Nigerians, Commends JIFORM

The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to rescue stranded Nigerian women in Saudi Arabia and Oman numbering 435.

This is as the government heaped praises on the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) for its spirited concern over the plight of the ladies.

JIFORM had on August 20, 2020 forwarded a save our soul letter signed by its President/Executive Director, Ajibola Abayomi on behalf of the stranded women who were yet to be connected to the Nigerian missions abroad owing to the inhuman treatment they were being subjected to by their hosts and employers in those countries and called for an extension of deadline for the rescue operation by the government.

The lists were compiled by the JIFORM, Synergy Rescue Mission and Rescue Africans In Slavery (RAIS) foundation headed by Alhaji  Abdus-Salam Adefemi Sharafadin and Ms Omotola Fawunmi respectively with the support of the Nigerian communities in Diaspora.

On August 23, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affair had earlier acknowledged the receipt JIFORM letter.

However, commenting on the situation in a response to the JIFORM outcry, the Federal Government through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) headed by Hon Abike-Dabiri Erewa stated in a letter on Monday thus:

“I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated August 20, 2020… and wish to commend your esteemed organization for the concerned about these stranded Nigerians. I am further directed to inform you that the NiDCOM is working with the relevant MDAs to rescue Nigerians from all over the world.

“On the 17th of August, 2020 we received 193 returnees and another batch will be coming into Nigeria on August 25, 2020.

“In view of the above with the Federal Government of Nigeria  announced the opening of the air space on 5th September, 2020, it is our believe that with this directive, all Nigerians stranded abroad can return home” the letter was signed Habibat  P .Eluameh, Technical Assistant To CEO/ Chairman, NiDCOM.

It would recalled the n July the JIFORM advocacy led to the rescue of 30 Nigerians ladies trafficked to Lebanon by the NiDCOM and other agencies of government.