In a commendable humanitarian mission, Nigerian airline Air Peace has repatriated 78 Nigerian women who had been trafficked to Côte d’Ivoire under false pretenses. The rescue mission, which took place on May 10, 2025, was carried out at no cost to the victims, emphasizing Air Peace’s commitment to social responsibility.
The operation was carried out using a Boeing 737 aircraft, registration 5N-BQV, which departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and arrived in Abidjan before returning to Nigeria with the women. The aircraft landed in Lagos at approximately 10:46 PM, bringing back the victims, many of whom shared harrowing accounts of exploitation, abandonment, and deceit.
Allen Onyema, Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, spearheaded the initiative after pledging in April to bring the trafficked women back home free of charge. “Human trafficking is a blight on our shared humanity. These women were lured with promises and ended up in misery,” Onyema stated. “As an airline of the people, we cannot stand by while Nigerians suffer abroad. We will always rise to the occasion, because love for country and for humanity must compel action.”
Onyema further emphasized the emotional importance of the operation, stating: “This is about making them feel human again. They were dehumanized abroad. Now they are going to see that their country values them. That’s the message we want to send.”
He also announced that Air Peace would cover all medical expenses for the women, offering them comprehensive treatment at Duchess Hospital in Lagos. “Air Peace will cover all expenses, not just testing, but any treatment required,” he added.
The rescue operation was made possible through the collaboration of Air Peace, the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, and the Nigerian Community in Abidjan. The Nigerian Embassy played a vital role in coordinating documentation and clearing the women for travel. Michael Emeka Onwuchelu, the President of the Nigerian Community in Côte d’Ivoire, expressed immense gratitude to Onyema, stating: “What Onyema has done is beyond corporate social responsibility, CSR; it is godly. For these women, this flight was a miracle. At a time when many looked away, Air Peace chose to act. The Nigerian community here is eternally grateful.”
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, Paul Obi, a senior officer in the Office of the Chargé d’Affaires, praised Air Peace for its timely intervention. “It was a race against time. Many of these ladies were undocumented, exposed to abuse, and in dire conditions. This act by Air Peace and its Chairman has restored dignity and hope. We encountered many diplomatic and logistical hurdles, but the airline’s support made this rescue achievable.”
The repatriation underscores Air Peace’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian causes. Onyema, whose past efforts include evacuations during the South African xenophobic attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Ukraine-Russia crisis, reaffirmed his dedication to using Air Peace’s resources for noble causes. “We will continue to stand in the gap when Nigerians are in distress, whether in Africa or beyond. We’re not just about flying aircraft; we’re about lifting lives. Our aircraft will always be available for noble causes. The suffering of our people anywhere in the world should concern us all.”
