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.
In a related development, PUNCH Metro had reported in April 2025 that the Anambra State Police Command arrested two suspects over the murder of an 80-year-old woman in Ihiala, who was allegedly tied up and killed before her motorcycle was stolen.
