From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The long ordeal of a group of stranded Nigerian miners in the Central African Republic (CAR) has finally come to an end as they arrived safely at the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui.
The miners’ plight came to public attention after a viral video surfaced showing them calling desperately for help. The miners, who had been working in CAR under the employment of a Chinese national and a Nigerian agent, were abandoned without pay for 11 months. Weak, traumatised, and distressed, their plea triggered swift action from the Nigerian embassy and CAR security forces.
Officials accompanied the miners over several days as they travelled from their remote mining location to the capital, Bangui. Upon arrival, the miners were handed over to the embassy staff who assured them of safety and support while arrangements were made for their eventual return to Nigeria.
In a statement, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at the Nigeria in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, acknowledged those who facilitated the rescue, saying, “We extend our deepest gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the embassy staff, CAR security agencies, and fellow Nigerians, who shared the miners’ story and helped bring about this rescue.”
The commission said efforts were underway to bring to justice the Nigerian agent who lured the miners into the employment scam. The agent, currently based in Nigeria, has been identified and is expected to face prosecution.
