By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
A group of Nigerian miners stranded in the Central African Republic (CAR) for 11 months have safely arrived at the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui after a swift rescue operation.
The rescue followed a viral video appeal for help from the miners, which prompted immediate intervention by officials of the Nigerian Embassy and CAR security forces.
NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the miners were victims of a job scam allegedly orchestrated by a Chinese national and a Nigerian agent.
According to Balogun, “The stranded Nigerians in Central African Republic CAR have finally arrived at the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui. It will be recalled that through a viral video, some Nigerian miners called for help and there was immediate intervention and swift response of officials of the Nigerian Embassy and CAR security who accompanied them from their location to the capital.”
He explained that the journey to Bangui took several days, noting that the miners were abandoned without pay for 11 months, leaving them traumatised, weak, and distressed.
Balogun added, “They are now in the safe hands of officials of the Nigerian Embassy who will arrange their return back home. They expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and staff of both countries, the Nigerian Embassy, the CAR security agencies and Nigerians who shared their stories.”
He confirmed that the Nigerian agent behind the job scam has been identified in Nigeria and is expected to be prosecuted.
The victims also expressed their appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Amb. Babagana Ahmed in Bangui, and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for responding promptly to their call for rescue.