The Executive Secretary of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, Ambassador Mrs Annie Onu, has expressed gratitude to Governor Alex Otti and his wife, Mrs Priscilla Otti, for their intervention in facilitating the safe return of 24-year-old Miss Annabel Kenneth, an indigene of the State who was trafficked to Senegal for prostitution.
Rev Amb. Annie Onu
Speaking to Journalists in Umuahia, Ambassador Onu disclosed that Miss Annabel, a native of Ugwunagbo Local Government Area, who resides in Lagos State with her parents and siblings, was deceived under the guise of a legitimate job offer in Dakar, Senegal by a woman identified as Mercy, from Calabar in Cross River State, who promised to secure her a well paying catering job in Senegal.
Miss Annabel Kenneth
“When I was called by the former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Ngozi Felix, I reached out to Miss Annabel. We did our due diligence to know if she went there on her own accord, and found out that she was trafficked for prostitution without even knowing it”.
Ambassador Onu revealed that the Abia State Diaspora Commission worked closely with the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar as well as the Senegalese Embassy to ensure Miss Annabel’s safe return home.
She described the successful rescue as “a big credit” to the Governor Otti led administration and revealed that the State Government is already in the process of providing rehabilitation and economic empowerment for Miss Annabel.
Ambassador Onu further commended Governor Otti’s commitment to the welfare and safety of Abians both at home and abroad, noting that the case demonstrated his administration’s readiness to respond promptly to the plight of citizens in distress.
“We are deeply grateful to His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti and Her Excellency Mrs Priscilla Otti for their quick response. Without their intervention, Annabel’s story could have ended tragically”, she stated.
She urged young people to be vigilant against deceitful job offers abroad, warning that traffickers often disguise themselves as genuine helpers.
“Our young people must be cautious. If you are promised a job overseas, verify it through the proper authorities before you travel”, she advised.
The State Diaspora Commission Boss further called on Abians in the diaspora to join hands with Governor Otti in building the State, noting that “nothing can be more fulfilling than developing your home State”.
Ambassador Onu disclosed that she is able to play her role under the leadership of the Governor and contribute her own quota to state development.
She assured that the Abia State Diaspora Commission is committed to protecting the interests of Abians in the diaspora as well as offer guidance, verification services and intervention in emergencies.
Narrating her harrowing ordeal, Miss Annabel Kenneth explained how she was lured by a woman identified as Mercy, under the pretence of a legitimate job offer in Dakar, Senegal.
“The woman, (Mercy) told me it was a good job so I thought I was going to work as a caterer in Senegal. I never imagined I was walking into atrap.
“I was taken on a six-day road journey through several countries such as Benin and Mali, surviving only on bread and soft drinks”, she said.
Miss Annabel further disclosed that on arrival in Senegal, she was taken to a compound in Bakiya district notorious for prostitution, where her documents, phone, and belongings were seized by her trafficker, Mercy who instructed she must repay 3.5 million CFA through prostitution with daily quotas of 100,000 CFA, in addition to paying rent and other bills.
“When we reached Bakiya, she (Mercy) took my phone, my documents, my ID card and even my clothes. Then she told me I must repay 3.5 million CFA by sleeping with men. I refused.
“I resisted and refused to take an oath or engage in prostitution. My refusal attracted torture, beatings, starvation and threats of being sold to traffickers in Libya.
“I finally escaped and found my way to the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar after a 24 hour journey. I was almost caught but God kept me”, she said.
According to Miss Annabel, she stayed at the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar for two months with no funds to repatriate her until the timely intervention by Governor Otti through the Abia State Diaspora Commission.
She expressed gratitude to the Governor and his wife, Mrs Priscilla Otti for their concern and assistance which facilitated her safe return home.
“I want to thank Governor Alex Otti and his wife for making it possible for me to come back home safely. I will never forget their kindness and the way they fought for me.
“When I heard that the Abia State Governor and his wife were helping me return home, I cried tears of joy. I will never forget what they did for me. They gave me back my life”, she said tearfully.
