The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 23 Nigerian youths, mostly with computer and information technology skills, who were trafficked to Thailand and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries under the guise of job and scholarship opportunities.
The victims, who have since been repatriated to Nigeria, were deceived, recruited and transported to countries including Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, where they were allegedly forced into cyber-enabled crimes such as romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud and investment schemes.
NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations,
Vincent Adekoye, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, noting that the rescue operation was carried out in collaboration with Eden (Myanmar), with critical support from the British Government.
He said the operation was part of the agency’s renewed offensive against organised trafficking syndicates targeting Nigerian youths with specialised skills.
“The victims were lured with promises of scholarships and lucrative employment abroad but were instead subjected to criminal exploitation upon arrival,” Adekoye said.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu-Bello, described the trend as a disturbing new dimension of human trafficking, warning that traffickers are now deliberately targeting young Nigerians with computer and IT competencies, especially those perceived to be disciplined and health-conscious.
“The traffickers go after boys and girls who have one skill or the other, preferably IT skills, and who do not drink or smoke. They promise them scholarships and gainful employment, but on arrival, the victims are trained in various scam techniques,” she said.
According to her, some of the victims were rapidly trained as translators and customer service agents to deceive unsuspecting targets in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Ethiopia.
“They told us they were housed in hostels with bunk beds, provided with gadgets and forced to carry out online fraud while being closely monitored,” Adamu-Bello said.
She added that those who resisted were reportedly subjected to extreme torture in what was described as a ‘dark room’, while others allegedly had their organs harvested, particularly young non-smokers.
“This is a horrifying and dangerous evolution of trafficking in the Southeast Asian region, and it is deeply troubling,” she said.
The NAPTIP boss assured that the agency had reactivated its domestic and international networks to dismantle the syndicates behind the operations and bring their ringleaders to justice.
She also commended civil society organisations in South Asia, Eden (Myanmar), the British Government and the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok for their roles in the rescue and repatriation of the victims, including the issuance of Emergency Travel Certificates.
Adamu-Bello urged parents, youths and job seekers to be vigilant and verify overseas employment offers through relevant authorities to avoid falling prey to trafficking syndicates.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
