Twelve Nigerian men recently repatriated from the Central African Republic (CAR) have alleged harrowing abuse—including sexual assault—while working under exploitative conditions for Chinese employers in the country.
The men, who had been stranded in CAR for nearly two years, were received in Abuja on Friday by the Chairperson and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, following a viral video appeal that drew national attention to their plight.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Igorigo Freeborn detailed their ordeal, claiming they were subjected to unpaid labour and degrading treatment, including sexual exploitation.
“We were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR. I’m not ashamed to say it—I want others to learn from our story,” Freeborn said.
He further disclosed that the men were denied wages for 11 months and lived in appalling conditions while enduring various forms of abuse.
“We were treated like animals, but we thank God we are alive to tell our stories,” he added.
Post a Comment