Human Trafficking: NAPTIP warns of deceptive oil and gas job offers in West Africa
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has issued a stark warning to Nigerians about the emergence of fraudulent schemes promising lucrative oil and gas jobs in West African countries.
The alert comes amidst growing concerns over human trafficking operations in the region, exploiting unsuspecting individuals under the guise of employment opportunities.
In a recent press statement issued by the agency’s Communication Officer, Adekoye Vincent, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Prof Fatima Waziri – Azi, revealed the alarming trend during a discussion on emerging trafficking patterns at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to Prof. Fatima Waziri – Azi, traffickers are utilising global brand trademarks and offering unrealistic job prospects to lure youths and other vulnerable groups into neighboring West African nations for various forms of exploitation.
“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.
NAPTIP’s intensified efforts, including enhanced partnerships, collaboration, and awareness campaigns, have led to a significant increase in the prosecution and conviction of human traffickers.
Waziri – Azi explained that victims, primarily aged between 15 and 35, are promised monthly incomes as high as $900 under the pretext of employment in gold mining and oil companies.
However, upon arrival at their destination, victims are coerced into surrendering large sums of money, typically up to N850,000, for documentation and logistical expenses.
Additionally, traffickers confiscate victims’ phones and personal belongings, leaving them vulnerable and isolated.
“Under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities in gold mining and oil companies, victims are enticed with promises of monthly incomes as high as Nine Hundred Dollars ($900.00), which, as always, are blatant lies.”
“Victims are often instructed to bring up to Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (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,” said Waziri – Azi.
The targeted demographic, according to her, is often trafficked through the waterways of Ode Jetty, in Lagos, to countries such as Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Liberia, while others are transported via land routes.
The NAPTIP boss emphasised the importance of vigilance and advised Nigerians to question tempting offers and seek second opinions to avoid falling victim to exploitation.
NAPTIP reassures its commitment to combating human trafficking and urges individuals to report suspected cases by contacting 07030000203 or 627 (MTN Network only).
The agency said it remains vigilant as traffickers adapt to new tactics to deceive victims.
