Chisom Umejiaku
A group of Nigerian miners who were reportedly abandoned in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been rescued and are now receiving support at the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui.
Their rescue followed the release of a video that went viral on social media, drawing attention to their situation.
The video, which began circulating on Thursday, July 24, 2025, showed several Nigerian men pleading for help. They claimed they had been taken to a remote mining site in the Senye area of Bambari by a Chinese company, denied payment, stripped of their travel documents, and left in harsh conditions.
Following the public outcry, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in collaboration with the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui and local authorities in CAR, responded swiftly. The miners were located and transported safely to Bangui with the help of a military escort. They arrived at the embassy on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed the rescue in a statement on Wednesday and assured that the miners are in stable condition.
He added that arrangements are ongoing for their welfare and possible return to Nigeria.
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Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria said it is investigating the role of the company allegedly responsible, stressing that all Chinese firms operating abroad must comply with local laws and international labor standards.
Back home, the incident has triggered fresh concerns about the growing number of Nigerians being lured into risky jobs overseas under false pretenses.
Authorities have urged citizens to be cautious, verify job offers abroad, and ensure they register with Nigerian embassies in their host countries.
As efforts to repatriate the rescued miners continue, the Nigerian government has vowed to further investigate how they were recruited and the conditions under which they were taken out of the country.