Abuja, March 25, 2024: The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has called on Nigerians to beware of fake job in oil and gas in West Africa countries.
The warning is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Mr Vincent Adekoye, a communication officer in the agency.
The statement disclosed that the agency Director-General, Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi revealed this alarming trend at the agency’s Headquarters while discussing emerging trends in human trafficking for the year 2024.
She said that the agency had uncovered a new ploy by some suspected human traffickers exploiting coordinated global brand trademarks and offering unrealistic oil and gas job to unsuspected Nigerians in neighbouring West Africa countries.
Waziri-Azi stated that NAPTIP has redoubled its efforts through enhanced partnership, collaboration, diligent prosecution, and extensive awareness campaigns in recent times.
She said that the effort was aimed at bolstering its operations, and had resulted to 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.
She said that trafficker now shuttle their suspects to Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, and other West African nations.
“Under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities in gold mining and oil companies, victims are enticed with promises of monthly incomes as high as Nine Hundred Dollars ($900.00), which, as always, are blatant lies.
“Victims are often instructed to bring up to Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (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.
“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,” Waziri-Azi said.
She however appealed to Nigerians to exercise caution, and advised them to ask questions, and seek a second opinion before accepting any tempting offers.
According to her, Nigerians should not allow desperation to cloud their judgment.
She said that NAPTIP remains committed to combating human trafficking and protecting the rights and dignity of all Nigerians.
The NAPTIP boss called on Nigerians to report suspected cases of human trafficking to the agency through 07030000203 or 627 (Only on the MTN Network).
