The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned Nigerians about the growing tactics used by human traffickers to lure unsuspecting victims through social relationships, recreational centres and fake employment opportunities.
The agency disclosed that traffickers increasingly target women at gyms, recreational centres and other social gatherings, where they establish relationships and gradually gain their trust before exploiting them.
NAPTIP spokesperson, Adekoye Vincent, gave the warning on Thursday during a joint briefing by security and intelligence agencies in Abuja.
According to Vincent, some traffickers disguise themselves as helpful individuals or service providers, offering assistance with shopping, domestic needs and other everyday activities to create familiarity with their targets.
He explained that they often obtain victims’ phone numbers and deliberately make themselves available whenever they encounter difficulties, using seemingly harmless gestures to build trust and establish emotional connections.
The agency also expressed concern over the growing use of fake online job advertisements to lure desperate job seekers into trafficking networks.
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Vincent revealed that NAPTIP had documented disturbing cases involving Nigerians who travelled long distances in search of employment but eventually fell into the hands of traffickers.
One of the cases involved a lawyer who reportedly travelled from Benue State to a law chamber in Abuja in search of employment but ended up in the wrong hands.
He described the incident as particularly disturbing, noting that human trafficking could leave victims with severe emotional and psychological trauma, including unwanted pregnancies.
The NAPTIP spokesperson urged Nigerians to exercise caution when forming online relationships, accepting unsolicited assistance or responding to attractive employment offers.
He advised job seekers and other vulnerable individuals to verify the identities and intentions of people they encounter, warning against rushing into online friendships or trusting offers without proper background checks.
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