The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the release and safe return of six Nigerian tourists who were recently detained in Cape Verde over what authorities described as unfounded allegations of trafficking.
A statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Ministry’s Spokesman in Abuja, said it secured the release of the women through diplomatic efforts led by Nigeria’s Mission in Guinea-Bissau.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to happily inform that the Nigerian nationals (ladies) that were detained in Cape Verde have all been released and they have left the country too,” the statement reads.
According to the Ministry, the six women had travelled to Cape Verde from Senegal for a holiday when they were intercepted on arrival, allegedly for not having sufficient funds.
“They were then detained, and their mobile phones were confiscated by Cape Verdean authorities”, it added.
The ministry clarified that the trafficking allegations made against the tourists were false, leading to their eventual release.
The affected individuals were identified as David James Udoh, Lily Dada, Oghenero Adaware, Sherifat Abimbola Ogundairo, and Jesutomi Aina. They had reportedly booked the trip through a travel and tour company, ìrìn travels, also known online as @irintravels and @theFARAWAY.
