Chairman of Air Peace Airlines, Dr. Allen Onyema, has expressed outrage over the recent discovery of Nigerian underaged girls trafficked to Côte d’Ivoire, promising to fly them back to Nigeria at no cost.
In a statement personally signed and released to journalists on Saturday, Onyema described the incident as heartbreaking and called for collective action against human trafficking.
His reaction follows a viral revelation by social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, who disclosed that over 1,200 Nigerian underaged girls are currently stranded in the West African country.
In the viral video, Otse was seen speaking with and consoling some of the victims, who spoke in Hausa and appeared visibly distressed.
Onyema condemned the act, labeling it as inhumane and ungodly, and pledged his full support to aid the girls’ return.
“We should discourage trafficking of any kind. It is inhumane and callous. It is absolutely ungodly and a good example of man’s inhumanity to man,” he said.
He added that Air Peace will repatriate the girls free of charge and offer them comprehensive medical checkups and treatment at Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.
The airline boss also urged the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire to identify and gather the victims, assuring that once contacted, his airline would swiftly facilitate their return.
Furthermore, Onyema called on the Federal Government to take responsibility for the girls’ education and ensure they are safely reunited with their families.