Friday, November 6, 2026 - The Nigerian anti human trafficking agency has warned people to be careful of strangers who offer help, friendship or attractive job opportunities.
The NAPTIP, has warned Nigerians to watch out for
traffickers who use social ties, gyms and fake job ads to lure victims.
The agency's spokesman, Adekoye Vincent, gave the warning on
Thursday at a joint security briefing in Abuja.
He said traffickers often target women in gyms, recreation
centres and other social places.
They first build trust and then pull their victims into
trafficking networks.
Vincent said traffickers sometimes pose as service providers
who offer help with household needs, shopping and other daily tasks.
This helps them get close to potential victims.
They often get phone numbers and keep in touch, showing up
to help when people face problems such as a broken down car.
Adekoye said these small kindnesses are often part of a
plan to win trust.
He also raised concerns about fake job adverts, especially
online ones.
Traffickers use them to trick job seekers.
Vincent said NAPTIP has recorded cases of people who
travelled long distances for work and ended up in the hands of traffickers.
He gave the example of a lawyer from Benue State who
travelled to a law office in Abuja and was trapped by traffickers.
Vincent said he spoke to the victim himself and found the
case deeply disturbing.
He warned that trafficking can leave lasting emotional and
mental harm on victims.
In some cases, it leads to unwanted pregnancies.
Vincent urged Nigerians to be careful when forming online
friendships or accepting unexpected offers of help or work.
He advised people not to rush into relationships and to
check the identity and intentions of anyone offering jobs, money or other
opportunities.
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