The menace of internal and external human trafficking has been prevalent within Nigeria, making it a source, transit and landing place for victims, especially women and children and subjecting them to forced labor, exploitation and prostitution. Perpetrators exploit the most vulnerable, mostly in rural areas and while the government has not been successful in meeting the minimum standards required for eliminating this menace, significant progress has been recorded. In fact, the increasing efforts on the anti-trafficking capability such as sanctioning perpetrators and convicting more criminals has led to the country being upgraded to Tier 2.
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has however raised concerns about human traffickers invading the digital space, employing the digital tools in luring victims with unrealistic opportunities. The agency noted that many young individuals on social media were falling victim to these antics, indicating an imminent shift from physical recruitment to virtual, via online assessment and proxy negotiations. Young individuals with social presence where thus urged to be wary of the tricks by these online perpetrators.
Journalists urged to herald events for World Day against Human Trafficking.
In a released statement, it was disclosed that human traffickers had adapted their operative mode with online advertisements to exploit and recruit victims through available personal information. NAPTIP urged Nigerians to look out for several advisories, so as to get acquainted with these trends, as well as the red flags for the identification and quick reportage of suspicious activities. This, the agency noted, would play an important role in curbing this menace and also helping those that have become victims of these type of acts.
Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, NAPTIP’s Director General in August 2022, urged journalists at a press conference to spearhead week-long events to propagate the World Day Against Human Trafficking, themed “Use and Abuse of Technology”, in a bid to salvage the trends that has plagued the social media landscape, even more than physical interactions. She explained that the event would focus on the significance of technology as a tool for enabling and impeding the menace of human trafficking.
NAPTIP records an increase in fake online job advertorials.
The Director General, in a statement, noted that the timeliness of the theme could not have come at a better time, with these perpetrators operating on a high grade via online platforms, as they do offline. She also noted that the Covid-19 situation had taught everyone of the need for re-enforcing the digital communication channels to enhance a massive digital transformation. On the paradoxical nature of technology, she indicated while technology was a major boost for enhancing human lives, it was still being used to indulge in heinous activities like trafficking.
It was further disclosed that NAPTIP had recorded a significant increase in the report of fake online jobs advertorials and fake scholarships all advertised on social media. This was identified as the scheme being used to recruit unsuspecting victims. This aside, social media was also identified as a tool enacted by traffickers to control their victims such as threatening to leak their exclusive images and videos online. Prof. Fatima thus noted that NAPTIP was collaborating with META for monitoring these online activities that expose Nigerians to this menace.
IOM collaborating with FG & UN to help vulnerable victims.
The Acting Chief of Mission, the International Organization for Migration, Ms. Prestage Murima, confirmed that recently, human traffickers have gained immense mastery of the digital space to lure Nigerians, mostly between the age range of 18-34. She disclosed that IOM was collaborating with the federal government, United Nations, private organizations, as well as development partners to help vulnerable migrants, including victims of human trafficking. Mr. Jose Nsang, a representative of the International and Ibero-American for Administration and Public Policies noted ways by which these perpetrators trafficked victims included religious pilgrims, cultural tourism, sporting events, school excursions and many more.
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Human traffickers recruiting on social media. – NAPTIP raises alarm over traffickers invading social media spaces. – Express your point of view.
The economic impact of the pandemic has left many people jobless and desperate, making them more susceptible to the offers made by traffickers on social media. It is compulsory to seek information about travel and job offers from verified sources and to avoid engaging with strangers who offer them unrealistic promises. In conclusion, NAPTIP urges the public to be vigilant and report any cases of trafficking to the agency or other relevant authorities, in their bid to fight the scourge of human trafficking.
I don’t understand how this is possible. They should arrest those being recruited through social media as soon as possible.
The human trafficking ring is now getting out of hand. The gullible and the desperate are usually their victims. However, we all need to be cautious not to fall into the hands of these people.
Human traffickers recruiting on social media. Traffickers are now increasing on social media and so many people have fallen victim on this. Nigeria standard of living is not to write home about. Hardship in Nigeria, so many people are suffering, the rate of poverty is very high…
Government has refuse do the needful, poor governance in Nigeria. But no condition gives access for crimes. We have to work for a better country so that all this crimes will stop.
We should stay alert not to be victim of human trafficking they are recruiting on social media now something should be done to reduce human trafficking
The traffickers online activities should be monitored closely so as to identify and arrest them for indulging in such illegal act that encroach human rights.
Different kind of style we are seeing human trafficking recruiting online we need to face human trafficking and stop it is and illegal act
Those seeking for job desperately and those that want to leave the country in one way or the other are the most vulnerable in this situation and they need to be enlightened.
Online activities are very traceable in the modern era. If the perpetrators have their way government agencies should also find more innovative way to outsmart them.
Despite the fact that technology greatly aided in bettering people’s lives, it was still being used in evil ways, such as trafficking. People should be aware.
The human traffickers has taking their business to another level through social media and lots of people are really falling to their trap.UN and AU should brace up to fight it because many people become victim through bad economy.
Technology helped improve people’s lives in many ways, but it was also being exploited for bad things like trafficking. Everyone needs to take notice.
Internet activity can easily be tracked. Therefore, it is important to carefully monitor the online activities of traffickers in order to spot them and detain them for engaging in such illegal activity.
If the country is in good state and our government are doing the needful, I don’t think Nigerians will fall victims of Human traffickers recruiting on social media. It is well.
Those who are desperately looking for work or who wish to leave the nation should be given special attention and education.