The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said it has uncovered a ploy by some suspected human traffickers to lure Nigerians with fake jobs in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and other countries in West Africa.

The Agency explained that the suspected traffickers exploit coordinated global brand trademarks and present unrealistic oil and gas job offers to traffic youths and other groups of people to neighbouring countries in the region for various forms of exploitation.

NAPTIP said victims are enticed with promises of monthly incomes of $900 under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities in gold mining and oil companies.

According to the agency, the victims are trafficked through the waterways of Ode Jetty in Lagos en route to Benin Republic and other parts of the West African region

It added that some victims are also trafficked through the land routes.

The Director-General of NAPTIP, Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi, revealed this at the Agency’s Headquarters in Abuja while discussing emerging trends in human trafficking for the year 2024.

Giving details of how the traffickers operate, Waziri-Azi in a statement in Abuja by the Communication Officer of NAPTIP, Adekoye Vincent stated: “NAPTIP has uncovered a new ploy by some suspected human traffickers who are exploiting coordinated global brand trademarks and offering unrealistic Oil and Gas job offers to traffic unsuspecting youths and other classes of people to neighbouring West African countries for various forms of exploitation.

“In recent times, NAPTIP has redoubled its efforts through enhanced partnership, collaboration, diligent prosecution, and extensive awareness campaigns aimed at bolstering its operations, resulting in a significant increase in convictions of human traffickers.

"As part of our comprehensive enlightenment strategies to equip Nigerians with timely and accurate information to reduce their vulnerability, we have received reports indicating that traffickers have adopted new tactics to lure unsuspecting victims, predominantly to Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, and other West African nations.”

Waziri–Azi added: “Under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities in gold mining and oil companies, victims are enticed with promises of monthly incomes as high as $900.00, which, as always, are blatant lies.”

“Victims are often instructed to bring up to N850,000 for documentation and other logistical expenses. Upon arrival at their destination, traffickers confiscate this money, along with the victims’ phones and other personal belongings.”

On the category of people targetted, she said: “The targeted demographic includes male and female victims aged between 15 and 35 years old.

“They are typically trafficked through the waterways of Ode Jetty in Lagos en route to Benin Republic and other parts of the West African region. Some victims are also trafficked via land routes.”

Prof. Waziri-Azi while calling on Nigerians to be careful, stated: “I urge you to exercise caution, ask questions, and seek a second opinion before accepting any tempting offers. Do not allow desperation to cloud your judgment.”

She expressed NAPTIP’s commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting the rights and dignity of all Nigerians.

sofeo:
It will be well.

Angelfrost:
They want to make money at all cost...!

Some even send such nonsense via text and Play store... Claiming that you can earn $500 daily without stress.

That no qualification or experience is needed.


...And even educated people still fall for such nonsense.

bigdammyj:
$900! Daily or monthly?

betonnaira:
make una dey rest for this stupid it is well saying

o123456789:
NAPTIP is very wrong on this statement, most people running out of Nigeria know what they are going into, their mind is already made up that they can't make it in Nigeria. I am reporting from Benin City Edo State, over here in Edo there are numerous jingles on radio warning about migration, but many are hell bent on Japa even with all the dangers involved. There was a recent case in Benin City Edo State where a middle aged man lodged over 10 young girls in a hotel where he was carrying out marathon sex on these girls for over two weeks. When the man and the girls were arrested, the girls confessed that they were engaging in sex with the trafficker as part of training because the man told them that they will work as prostitutes abroad. Those that are being trafficked and the traffickers are all the same ten-and-ten-pence, no victim.

betonnaira:
make una dey rest for this stupid it is well saying

sunsweet33:


But I think this bini saga should have been dealt with by now. I’ve been hearing this italy story since I was a small kid. Can’t they stop that rubbish? No opportunity in Benin city apart from slavery??