Director General of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi has warned Nigerians against fake job vacancies making waves in the oil and gas sector noting that their desperation for job should not overshadow their sense of judgments.
The DG warning was given while discussing ‘emerging trends on human trafficking in the year 2024’and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja by the communication officer of the agency Mr. Vincent Adekoya.
Waziri-Azi said: “We have uncovered a new ploy by suspected human traffickers exploiting coordinated global brand trademarks, offering unrealistic oil and gas job vacancies to unsuspected Nigerians in neigbouring West Africa countries.
“NAPTIP has redoubled its efforts through enhanced partnership, collaboration, diligent prosecution, and extensive awareness against such gimmicks.”
Prof. Waziri-Azi stated that the focus of the agency was to foil the plans of these human traffickers by enlightening Nigerians on their activities and giving them up to date information to reduce the dangers such menace poses.
In her words “We have received reports indicating that traffickers have adopted new tactics to lure unsuspecting victims
“Traffickers now shuttle their suspects to some nations under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities in gold and mining and oil companies and entice them with promises of monthly income as high as 900 dollars, which has always been blatant lies.
“Victims are often instructed to bring up to N850, 000 for documentation and other logistic expenses. Upon arrival at their destination, traffickers confiscate the money, along with victim’s phones and other personal belongings. The targeted demographic are male and female victims, aged between 15 and 35 years old,” she said.
She noted that victims are usually trafficked through the waterways of Ode Jetty in Lagos en-route Benin Republic and other parts of the West African region while some are trafficked through land routes.
Waziri-Azi made appeal to Nigerians to take proper measures in accepting tempting offers emphasizing that people should learn to ask questions and seek opinions of others.
She however insisted that the organization is committed to fighting human trafficking and protecting the rights of all Nigerians and any suspected case of human trafficking should be reported through this line 07030000203 or 627.
