The Oyo State Government has begun preparation to repatriate no fewer than 40 of its female indigenes trafficked to and being used as slaves in Lebanon.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Oyo Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa,  the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, Mrs Bolanle Sarumi-Aliyu, said while briefing Governor Seyi Makinde on the plight indigenes trafficked to Lebanon.

Sarumi-Aliyu added that  40 female indigenes of the state had been identified in Lebanon while the state continues with identification of others to know the actual number of Oyo State indigenes being used as slaves in Lebanon

Makinde says the state will cover the expenses for the repatriation of all its indigenes found to have been trafficked to Lebanon.

According to Adisa, the governor made the pledge while receiving a brief on the plight of Oyo indigenes trafficked to Lebanon from Bolanle Sarumi-Aliyu, senior special assistant on diaspora matters.

“We will pay for the repatriation of all Oyo State indigenes who have been confirmed to have been trafficked to Lebanon. Please put all necessary plans in place to bring them back,” Makinde was quoted to have said.

“I understand that some well-meaning individuals and groups have made some donations to some of the victims, let them use such donations as pocket money.

“This state will pay for their flights and the fees requested to conduct COVID-19 tests on each of them.”

In a video published recently, some Nigerian ladies had appealed to the federal government and other relevant stakeholders to rescue them from Lebanon.

While giving the governor an update on the persons stranded in Lebanon, Sarumi-Aliyu said 40 of such victims have been screened and are ready for the journey home, while more victims were still being discovered.

“We are expecting them back on a special flight on August 12. The government of Engineer Seyi Makinde has shown renewed commitment to the welfare of our people in the diaspora and we are pleased with that,” she said.

“Since the government found out that we have some victims of human trafficking, who are stranded in Lebanon, we have stepped in.

“On the 11th of July, we received 11 victims and they are going through rehabilitation with the social workers in the Ministry of Women Affairs. The state has given commitment that they will all be empowered.

“The same thing will happen to those we are expecting from the flight from Lebanon this August, once they have been cleared.”