Air Peace returns 78 women trafficked as Onyema pledges to restore their dignities
Nigerian leading airline, Air Peace at the weekend evacuated 78 Nigerian women who were victims of human trafficking from the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria via the international wing of the Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos.
The airline disclosed that gesture was part of it nation-first humanitarian intervention using its luxurious wide-body Boeing 737 aircraft with registration mark 5N-BQV.
The flight had departed Lagos at 14:14hrs, and returned late Saturday night affirming that the exercise marks yet another milestone in its long-standing commitment to the Nigerian people.
The airline’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Onyema expressed deep concern for the condition of the rescued women and reaffirmed his personal and corporate commitment to restoring their dignity.
Dr. Allen Onyema, Air Peace Chairman
Allen said “I don’t look down on anybody. They also deserve the best. That is why we enrolled all of them in Duchess Hospital. We got the names of 150 at first. All 150, whenever they come in. Today we have about 78; they are going to Duchess Hospital in the morning because they had to close tonight. But tomorrow morning, all of them will be there. If you want to see them, you will see them. They will test them. Whatever you have, Air Peace will bear the brunt of the treatment—not just tests—so that we can release them into society,” he said.
He said “Most importantly, we want to make them understand their humanity. They were made to feel subhuman by the treatment they endured in Côte d’Ivoire. We want them to feel valued again. Inside the aircraft, they were all very happy. They felt wanted by their nation. Now, when they go to a very seven-star hospital tomorrow morning, they will say, ‘Wow, this is me in this kind of place.’ These are the kinds of things we need to instill in the citizenry.”
Dr. Onyema commended Nigerian activist VeryDarkMan for bringing the victims’ plight to light, and called on citizens to be vigilant and supportive in combating human trafficking.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Lami Adamu Bello, also commended the collaboration that made the operation possible and emphasized Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to eradicating trafficking.
She said “It is with a deep sense of pride, gratitude and responsibility that I welcome you all here today. This is a momentous occasion—a day that marks not only the safe return of our beloved daughters, but also a reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to the fight against human trafficking.”
“To the young women who have just returned, we say, welcome home. You were taken far from the safety and dignity you deserve, but today you are back on Nigerian soil and you are not alone. You are home, and this country stands with you.”
I must also sincerely appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria for its constant support, and particularly Air Peace for its generous and patriotic assistance. Your partnership is a shining example of how the private sector can contribute meaningfully to national efforts.”
“Let today serve as a reminder to the perpetrators of this heinous trade that Nigeria will never relent. Some of them have already been apprehended and will face the full force of the law.”
The successful mission was further made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Office of the Chargée d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, led by Mr. Paul Obi, and the President of the Nigerian Community in Côte d’Ivoire, Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchelu, who jointly facilitated the documentation process and logistical support.
Chief Onwuchelu lauded Dr. Onyema and Air Peace for their “exceptional compassion and bold intervention,” describing the airline’s gesture as “a reminder of what it truly means to be Nigerian—never abandoning our own.”
Mr. Paul Obi of the Nigerian Embassy echoed the sentiment, highlighting the trauma the victims endured in search of better lives: “Many of these young women were deceived with promises of jobs and a better life. What they found was exploitation. Air Peace’s intervention has not only brought them home—it has restored their hope and humanity. We sincerely thank Dr. Onyema for showing, once again, what leadership and patriotism look like.”
This latest humanitarian effort adds to a growing list of interventions by Dr. Allen Onyema and Air Peace.
In 2019, the airline airlifted 503 Nigerians free of charge from South Africa amidst xenophobic attacks and also during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Air Peace conducted multiple repatriation flights.
In 2022, the airline flew Nigerian evacuees out of war-torn Ukraine just as in May 2023, Dr. Onyema again deployed Air Peace aircraft to evacuate 277 stranded Nigerians from Sudan.
“As the rescued women prepare to begin a new chapter, supported by medical care and reintegration efforts, one truth stands out: Air Peace is more than just an airline—it is a bridge of hope for Nigerians in crisis, and a national symbol of empathy, courage and service.” The management reiterated.
