We were beaten by soldiers, imprisoned…Nigerian miners rescued from CAR recount ordeal

15.8.2025
A group of Nigerian miners abandoned by their employers in the Central African Republic (CAR) have expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its swift intervention in their rescue.
The 11 miners who were evacuated from Bangui said they were beaten up by soldiers and dehumanised as they clamored for their pay and demand their return to Nigeria. The miners, who were allegedly lured to CAR by a Nigerian agent in collaboration with a Chinese national, had earlier made a public appeal for help through a viral video.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees in Abuja, Mr Freeborn Igorigo expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for their timely rescue, warm and dignified reception given to them.
“Some of us have medical conditions from hazardous exposure and accidents in the CAR forest.
“We were threatened and beaten by soldiers and also imprisoned for nothing,” he said.
Igorigo said he had worked for the company for three years and had been in CAR since September 2024.
Describing the circumstances leading to his viral video, Igorigo said Chinese workers were evacuated from the site while Nigerians were left behind in dangerous, isolated conditions.
“When we attempted to join the departing workers, we were met with armed threats and violence,” he said.
According to him, the rescue was achieved through the coordinated efforts of Nigeria’s Ambassador to Central Africa, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Igorigo stressed that now safe in Nigeria, their rescue is only “the first step” and urged the government not to relent until justice is served and all their outstanding wages are paid.
“We are pleading with the authorities, the DSS, the Ministry of Mines, and the Federal Government to help us recover what we laboured for.
“If such companies get away with this, it can encourage more exploitation of Nigerians abroad,” he said.
The returnees were on Thursday accompanied to Abuja by the Nigerian Ambassador to CAR, Mr Babagana Ahmed.
A Sky Airlines Boeing 747-200 aircraft, with registration number ET-AXO, conveying the returnees touched down in Abuja at exactly 4:45 pm. NAN