Accepting job offers from entities disguising as multinational oil and gas companies is dangerous, says the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
According to the agency, it is one of the new tactics employed by human traffickers who are using known brand trademarks to lure and traffic unsuspecting young and active individuals to neighbouring countries for different forms of exploitation.
Speaking, the Director-General of the Agency, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, in a statement by NAPTIP’s Chief Communications Officer, Adekoye Vincent, on Sunday said, “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, 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.
“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.”
“I urge you to exercise caution, ask questions, and seek a second opinion before accepting tempting offers. Do not allow desperation to cloud your judgment,” she reiterated.
“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,” she said.
She further reiterated that NAPTIP remains committed and is leaving no stone unturned in the fight to end human trafficking and protect the rights and dignity of the citizens.
