…Says traffickers target brilliant ICT savvy youths, clean bill of health
By Dele Ogbodo/Hillary Asemota
In what can be safely described as a big burst and in continuation of its renewed onslaught against the activities of organized criminal elements targeting vulnerable Nigerians, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued and repatriated 23 Nigerian youths suspected to be victims of human trafficking from Thailand.
The operation NAPTIP acknowledged was carried out with the support and collaboration of Eden (Myanmar), with critical assistance from the British Government.
The victims who have arrived in Nigeria were deceived, recruited, and trafficked to some South-east Asian countries – Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, for cyber – enabled crimes such as romance scam, cryptocurrency-related fraud, and investment scam in the destination countries.
The development which represents a worrisome caveat came barely a few weeks after the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, OON, promised a hard time for human traffickers operating across the country.
The DG reiterates the agency’s resolve to step up its game – promising an improved collaboration through upscale strategy to detect, dislodge, and dis-organise activities of human trafficking targeting any Nigerian.
Speaking on the latest operation carried out by the agency and the nature of the exploitation of the Victims, the Director General alerted on the new activities of the traffickers and called for the collaboration of all stakeholders.
“This is a new dimension of the human trafficking phenomenon that targets vibrant and intelligent Nigerians. The trafficker goes after boys and girls who have one skill or the other, but preferably computer and IT skills, and those who do not drink alcohol or smoke. They promised them a scholarship and gainful employment.
“On arrival at the destination Country, the victims are trained on various methods of scam. Some of them are enrolled in the language school, preferably Chinese, and, within the shortest time, graduate as translators and are offered the role of Customer Care to deceive their targets.
“The victims explained that they were compelled to target individuals and organizations from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, and Canada for romance scams, investment scams, cryptocurrency scams, and other online fraud.
“They disclosed that they were accommodated in a hostel with bunks and provided with all the necessary gadgets, and are forced to go after their targets. They are monitored by fierce – looking mafia guys who also torture any of them who refuse to meet their daily targets.
“The Victims also explained that while a few of them who refused to do the bidding of the traffickers are tortured to death inside the horror chamber called ‘the dark room’, others had their organs harvested, especially the young ones with non-smoking history.
“This is a new dimension in trafficking to destination Countries in the Southeast Asian Region, and it is disturbing. We have reactivated our various connections so that, with the support of partners, this deadly trafficking syndicate will be dislodged and the ringleaders arrested.
Spokesperson for the agency, Mr. Vincent Adekoye, in media update reinforced the DG’s statement – adding: “NAPTIP appreciates the support and collaboration of members of the Civil Society Organization (CSO) in the South Asia Region, Eden (Myanmar), the British Government, and also the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.”
According to her, the Embassy played a significant role in facilitating the repatriation process, including the issuance of Emergency Travel Certificates (ETCs) for some of the victims.”