NAPTIP rescues 23 Nigerians trafficked to Thailand for cybercrimes

The Nationwide Company for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Individuals has rescued and repatriated 23 Nigerian youths suspected to be victims of human trafficking to Thailand for cyber-enabled legal actions.

The Director-Normal of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, disclosed this on Wednesday, warning of a rising development by which traffickers recruit younger Nigerians for on-line fraud operations in Southeast Asia.

The company’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, conveyed the event in an announcement, noting that the rescue was carried out in collaboration with Eden (Myanmar), with crucial help from the British Authorities and the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok.

In keeping with NAPTIP, the victims have been deceived with guarantees of scholarships and profitable jobs earlier than being trafficked to international locations together with Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

They have been allegedly pressured into cybercrime actions resembling romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud and pretend funding schemes.

Describing the brand new sample of exploitation, Bello mentioned traffickers intentionally goal clever youths with laptop and IT expertise, in addition to these with clear well being data.

“This can be a new dimension of the human trafficking phenomenon that targets vibrant and clever Nigerians,” she mentioned.

“The traffickers go after girls and boys who possess expertise, particularly in laptop and IT, and even desire those that don’t drink alcohol or smoke. They promise them scholarships and gainful employment.”

She defined that upon arrival, the victims have been skilled in several scamming strategies and, in some instances, enrolled in language lessons, significantly Chinese language, earlier than being deployed as on-line “buyer care” brokers to deceive targets.

In keeping with the DG, the victims have been compelled to focus on people and organisations in america, the UK, Ethiopia and Canada.

“They have been accommodated in hostels with bunk beds, supplied with devices, and compelled to go after each day targets,” Bello mentioned.

“They have been consistently monitored by fierce-looking mafia handlers, and anybody who refused to cooperate or failed to satisfy targets was tortured.”

She added that some victims reported excessive abuse.

“Whereas a couple of who refused to do the bidding of the traffickers have been tortured inside what they described as a ‘darkish room’, others alleged instances of organ harvesting, particularly amongst youthful victims with non-smoking historical past,” she mentioned.

Bello described the event as deeply disturbing and vowed that the company would intensify efforts to dismantle the syndicate behind the operation.

“We have now reactivated our numerous connections in order that, with the help of our companions, this lethal trafficking community will likely be dislodged and the ringleaders arrested,” she mentioned.

She recommended civil society organisations within the area, Eden (Myanmar), the British Authorities, and the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok for facilitating the rescue and repatriation, together with the issuance of emergency journey paperwork for a few of the victims.

The newest rescue comes weeks after NAPTIP pledged to strengthen collaboration and scale up methods to detect and disrupt rising trafficking routes focusing on Nigerians.

Preliminary investigations revealed that unidentified assailants had forcibly gained entry right into a compound belonging to 1 Helen on Fagun Property Highway 5, the place the assault occurred.

Jimoh mentioned the sufferer sustained deadly machete wounds in the course of the assault.

“Through the assault, the assailants reportedly inflicted deadly machete accidents on Religion, resulting in her dying,” he added.

Following what the police described as an intensive and coordinated investigation, three suspects — Olayode, 27; Temitope, 32; and Bolaji, 22 — have been arrested.

“The suspects are at the moment in police custody and have supplied helpful statements aiding the continued investigation. They are going to be charged in court docket upon the conclusion of the investigation,” the assertion added.

The police reiterated their dedication to defending lives and property and urged residents to supply credible and actionable data to safety businesses.

The Commissioner of Police additionally assured residents of enough safety presence within the space to stop a recurrence.

“He urged members of the general public to stay calm and proceed their lawful actions with out worry,” Jimoh mentioned.

In a associated improvement, PUNCH Metro had reported in April 2025 that the Anambra State Police Command arrested two suspects over the homicide of an 80-year-old lady in Ihiala, who was allegedly tied up and killed earlier than her bike was stolen.