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Twenty two Nigerians evacuated by the Federal Government from Lebanon arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Saturday afternoon.
They were received by officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe among others.
Among them is a 31-year-old Nigerian lady, Temitope ArIwolo, who was being prosecuted in Lebanon over alleged theft and attempted murder.
Another is Peace Busari, who was offered for sale on Facebook for $1000 by a Lebanese, Wael Jerro.
Ariwolo, in a brief interaction with journalists, said Lebanon was like a hell for her. She cautioned Nigerians, especially girls, who embark on trips in search of greener pastures outside Nigeria.
She said, “I’m happy being home. Going to Lebanon is like (going to) a hell. Nobody knows that will happen there. I advise other girls to stay here in Nigeria and try to make it the way the Lord puts them through, because going outside there was like a hell, not only in Lebanon. What I experienced in Lebanon, I pray even not for Satan to experience it.”
Ariwolo’s employer had accused her of stealing $5,000 and attempting to kill him. Her prosecution in court had been stalled as the accusers failed to show up, while she was granted bail.
However, the House committee Chairman on Diaspora, Akande-Sadipe said it was established that Ariwolo suffered abuse and sexual harassment from the husband of her employer, Mahmoud Zahran, during her sojourn in Lebanon.
The lawmaker noted that among the evacuees were nine indigenes of Oyo State, among whom were two pregnant women; four Ondo State indigenes and one Ekiti State indigene. Others are from Ebonyi, Osun, Cross River, Benin, Delta, and Ogun States.
She said Busari was with the Nigerian Mission in Beirut, Lebanon after she was rescued from her employer.
Akande-Sadipe, said that the returnees are doing well and have all settled down in hotels for the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
“We received 22 evacuees stranded in Lebanon today. The Lebanon Government transported them to Abuja. A large number are Oyo State indigenes and they are all comfortably settled in hotels under the mandatory 14 days quarantine,” she said.
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Olamilekan Olusada,
Head Media Team/S.A Media,
for Hon. Tolu Akande-Sadipe