Our Male Chinese Employers Sexually Abused Us – Nigerian Miners

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Our Male Chinese Employers Sexually Abused Us – Nigerian Miners

Twelve Nigerian miners who were recently rescued from the Central African Republic (CAR) have made shocking revelations, accusing their Chinese male employers of sexual harassment and abuse.

The miners, who had been stranded in CAR for months, were finally repatriated to Nigeria through the joint efforts of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and other key government agencies.

The Rescue Operation
According to a statement issued by Abdurrahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NiDCOM, the three-week repatriation process began with an evacuation from a remote village in CAR, where the miners had been trapped.

They were then taken to the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui, the capital city, before finally arriving in Abuja on Thursday, August 15, 2025.

The group was officially received by NiDCOM chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

“We Were Sexually Abused” – Miners Speak Out
Narrating their ordeal, Igorigo Freeborn, leader of the rescued miners, revealed that they had been abandoned in the forest by their recruiters and forced to endure inhumane conditions without pay for nearly a year.

Freeborn disclosed that beyond the financial exploitation, the miners were subjected to sexual abuse by their male Chinese employers.

Amid tears, he said:

“We were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR. I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there, but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the story today.”
The miners alleged that their employers withheld 11 months’ salaries while leaving them in harsh, unsafe environments.

Freeborn further admitted that before their rescue, he had little faith in the Nigerian government, describing himself as “unpatriotic,” but confessed that the intervention restored his hope.

“I didn’t think anything good could come out of the country, but we were so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.”

FG Promises Justice
In response, NiDCOM chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa described the miners’ experience as “inhumane” and assured them that justice would be pursued.

She emphasized that the matter would be taken up with relevant government bodies to ensure accountability.

“Your experience is inhumane, and I assure you that justice will be served,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
She also urged the rescued miners to partner with NiDCOM in its advocacy against irregular migration and to share their stories as a cautionary tale to others considering unsafe migration routes.

Support for the Miners
To help them restart their lives, NiDCOM provided the group with financial support pending the recovery of their withheld salaries. In addition, Perchstone & Greys, a Nigerian law firm, also made a cash donation to assist the miners.

Names of Rescued Miners
The 12 rescued Nigerians are:

Igorigo Freeborn
Rotimi Kupoluyi
Ajosi Julius
Odeh Collins
Anifowoshe Yekini
Akubo Oluwaseun
Olayemi Peter Adewale
Stephen Abel Otkli
Samuel Ojochenemi
Alih Joel Muhammed
Unekwu Bala
Yusuf Bameyi

The Bigger Picture
This incident highlights not only the dangers of irregular migration but also the exploitation many Nigerians face abroad while seeking greener pastures.

As the Federal Government moves to secure justice for the rescued miners, NiDCOM continues to stress the importance of safer migration pathways and warns citizens against falling prey to deceptive recruiters who lure workers into abusive situations abroad.

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