Thursday, February 12, 2026 - The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued and repatriated 23 Nigerian youths suspected to be victims of human trafficking to Thailand for cyber-enabled criminal activities.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, disclosed
this on Wednesday, warning of a growing trend in which traffickers recruit
young Nigerians for online fraud operations in Southeast Asia.
The agency’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent
Adekoye, conveyed the development in a statement, noting that the rescue was
carried out in collaboration with Eden (Myanmar), with critical support from
the British Government and the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok.
According to NAPTIP, the victims were deceived with promises
of scholarships and lucrative jobs before being trafficked to countries
including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
They were allegedly forced into cybercrime activities such
as romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud and fake investment schemes.
Describing the new pattern of exploitation, Bello said
traffickers deliberately target intelligent youths with computer and IT skills,
as well as those with clean health records.
“This is a new dimension of the human trafficking phenomenon
that targets vibrant and intelligent Nigerians,” she said.
“The traffickers go after boys and girls who possess skills,
especially in computer and IT, and even prefer those who do not drink alcohol
or smoke. They promise them scholarships and gainful employment.”
She explained that upon arrival, the victims were trained in
different scamming techniques and, in some cases, enrolled in language classes,
particularly Chinese, before being deployed as online “customer care” agents to
deceive targets.
According to the DG, the victims were compelled to target
individuals and organisations in the United States, the United Kingdom,
Ethiopia and Canada.
“They were accommodated in hostels with bunk beds, provided
with gadgets, and forced to go after daily targets,” Bello said.
“They were constantly monitored by fierce-looking mafia
handlers, and anyone who refused to cooperate or failed to meet targets was
tortured.”
She added that some victims reported extreme abuse.
“While a few who refused to do the bidding of the
traffickers were tortured inside what they described as a ‘dark room’, others
alleged cases of organ harvesting, especially among younger victims with
non-smoking history,” she said.
Bello described the development as deeply disturbing and
vowed that the agency would intensify efforts to dismantle the syndicate behind
the operation.
“We have reactivated our various connections so that, with
the support of our partners, this deadly trafficking network will be dislodged
and the ringleaders arrested,” she said.
She commended civil society organisations in the region,
Eden (Myanmar), the British Government, and the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok for
facilitating the rescue and repatriation, including the issuance of emergency
travel documents for some of the victims.
The latest rescue comes weeks after NAPTIP pledged to
strengthen collaboration and scale up strategies to detect and disrupt emerging
trafficking routes targeting Nigerians.
Preliminary investigations revealed that unidentified
assailants had forcibly gained entry into a compound belonging to one Helen on
Fagun Estate Road 5, where the attack occurred.
Jimoh said the victim sustained fatal machete wounds during
the assault.
“During the attack, the assailants reportedly inflicted
fatal machete injuries on Faith, leading to her death,” he added.
Following what the police described as an intensive and
coordinated investigation, three suspects — Olayode, 27; Temitope, 32; and
Bolaji, 22 — were arrested.
“The suspects are currently in police custody and have
provided useful statements aiding the ongoing investigation. They will be
charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement
added.
The police reiterated their commitment to protecting lives
and property and urged residents to provide credible and actionable information
to security agencies.
The Commissioner of Police also assured residents of
adequate security presence in the area to prevent a recurrence.
“He urged members of the public to remain calm and continue
their lawful activities without fear,” Jimoh said.
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