The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons cautioned the public on Sunday about being careful when accepting job offers from organizations pretending to be oil and gas companies.
It pointed out that there is a new strategy being used by suspected human traffickers who are taking advantage of well-known brand names and presenting unrealistic oil and gas job opportunities to deceive unsuspecting individuals aged 15 to 35, luring them to neighboring West African countries for various forms of exploitation.
The Director-General of the Agency, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, stated on Sunday that victims are promised monthly incomes as high as $900 in the guise of attractive employment opportunities in gold mining and oil companies, which are actually false promises.
NAPTIP’s Chief Communications Officer, Adekoye Vincent, shared this warning in a statement released on Sunday titled ‘Beware of fake oil and gas jobs in West African countries.’
While discussing new patterns in human trafficking for 2024, Waziri-Azi mentioned, “Victims are often instructed to bring up to N850,000 for documentation and other logistical expenses.
“Upon arrival at their destination, traffickers take away this money, as well as the victims’ phones and other personal belongings.
“The targeted demographic includes both male and female victims aged between 15 and 35 years. They are commonly trafficked through the waterways of Ode Jetty in Lagos, destined for Benin Republic and other parts of the West African region. Some victims are also trafficked via land routes.”
Waziri-Azi reiterated her previous appeal to Nigerians, stating, “I urge you to be careful, ask questions, and seek a second opinion before accepting tempting offers. Do not allow desperation to cloud your judgment.”
She explained that the agency has intensified its efforts through improved partnerships, collaboration, rigorous prosecutions, and extensive awareness campaigns to strengthen its operations, resulting in a notable rise in convictions of human traffickers.
“As part of our comprehensive awareness strategies to provide 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, primarily to Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, and other West African nations,” she said.
The DG stated that NAPTIP remains dedicated to combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights and honor of all Nigerians, urging the public to report suspected cases of human trafficking.
