In a remarkable display of humanitarianism, Air Peace, has successfully evacuated 78 Nigerian women who were victims of human trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire.
The historic rescue mission, which took place on May 10, 2025, was carried out on a complimentary basis, with the airline deploying its wide-body Boeing 737 aircraft to ferry the women back to Lagos.
The flight, which departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at 14:14hrs, touched down at 22:46hrs, bringing relief to the women who had endured harrowing experiences of exploitation, abandonment, and deceit.
The rescue operation was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Air Peace, the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, and the Nigerian Community in Côte d’Ivoire.
The evacuation was spearheaded by Air Peace’s Chairman and CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, who had previously vowed to repatriate the trafficked women at no cost.
Dr. Onyema’s commitment to patriotic altruism and compassionate nationalism has earned him widespread recognition, and this latest rescue mission is a testament to his leadership.
The repatriation effort was the result of a coordinated effort between Air Peace, the Office of the Chargée d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, and the Nigerian Community in Côte d’Ivoire.
The women were documented and cleared for travel, ensuring a smooth and safe evacuation.
The Nigerian Community in Côte d’Ivoire and the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan have lauded Dr. Onyema and Air Peace for their selfless intervention, describing the rescue mission as a “miracle” and a demonstration of moral leadership in the aviation space.
This latest humanitarian flight is part of Air Peace’s long record of magnanimous interventions, including the evacuation of 503 Nigerians from South Africa in 2019, and the repatriation of stranded Nigerians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The airline’s commitment to standing in the gap when Nigerians are in distress has earned it a reputation as a flag carrier that truly cares about the nation’s burdens.
As Dr. Onyema stated, “Human trafficking is a blight on our shared humanity. These women were lured with promises and ended up in misery. 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.”
