The fight against human trafficking intensifies as traffickers target skilled Nigerian youths for cybercrime operations abroad, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, disclosed the alarming trend following the rescue and repatriation of 23 victims from Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. The operation was carried out in collaboration with the UK and Myanmar governments, targeting an organized criminal network exploiting talented Nigerian youths.
According to NAPTIP, traffickers specifically seek young Nigerians with computer and IT skills, promising scholarships and lucrative jobs. Once abroad, victims are coerced into cyber-enabled crimes such as romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and investment scams, targeting individuals and organizations in the USA, UK, Ethiopia, and Canada.
Bello explained that many victims are placed in hostels under strict surveillance, trained in scamming techniques, and enrolled in language courses to serve as translators and customer service agents for fraudulent operations. Those who fail to meet daily performance targets face harsh punishments, including torture, confinement in “dark rooms,” and, in some cases, organ harvesting.
“This disturbing evolution in human trafficking demands urgent action”, Bello said, adding that NAPTIP has intensified operations and strengthened collaborations to dismantle these syndicates.
She also commended civil society organizations in Southeast Asia, the British government, and the Nigerian embassy in Bangkok for their assistance in facilitating repatriation and securing Emergency Travel Certificates for the victims.
Bello emphasized that traffickers are increasingly targeting intelligent, tech-savvy youths for cybercrime, marking a dangerous new dimension in human trafficking that requires international cooperation and vigilance.
About the Author
