A group of stranded Nigerian miners in the Central African Republic (CAR), who had earlier issued a viral plea for help, have finally arrived safely at the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui after days of harrowing travel and intervention.
The rescue operation followed the circulation of a video in which the miners—victims of an international job scam—cried out for assistance. They alleged that a Chinese national and a Nigerian agent had lured them to CAR with promises of work, only to abandon them for 11 months without pay.
Responding swiftly, officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui, working in collaboration with CAR security forces, facilitated the safe evacuation of the distressed citizens from their remote location to the capital.
Exhausted and visibly traumatized, the group has now found refuge at the Nigerian mission in Bangui, where embassy staff are making arrangements for their safe repatriation to Nigeria.
In an emotional moment, the rescued miners expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and all concerned officials from Nigeria and CAR for their intervention. They also thanked Nigerians who amplified their situation on social media.
According to Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NiDCOM, the Nigerian agent responsible for the scam has been identified and is currently in Nigeria, where he is expected to face prosecution.
The rescue underscores the Nigerian government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, especially in cases involving trafficking, exploitation, or contract violations.
