" NAPTIP Warns Nigerians Against Fake Job Offers By Human Traffickers" 25 March 2024

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned the public against accepting job offers from entities masquerading as oil and gas companies. It identified this as a new ploy by suspected human traffickers who are exploiting coordinated global brand trademarks and offering unrealistic oil and gas job offers to traffic unsuspecting persons between 15 and 35 years to neighbouring West African countries for various forms of exploitation.

“Under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities in gold mining and oil companies, victims are enticed with promises of monthly incomes as high as $900, which, as always, are blatant lies,” said the Director-General of the Agency, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, in a statement Sunday. NAPTIP’s Chief Communications Officer, Adekoye Vincent, revealed this in a statement on Sunday titled ‘Beware of fake oil and gas jobs in West African countries.’ While discussing emerging trends in human trafficking for 2024, Waziri-Azi said, “Victims are often instructed to bring up to N850,000 for documentation and other logistical expenses. “The targeted demographic includes male and female victims aged between 15 and 35 years old. They are typically trafficked through the waterways of Ode Jetty in Lagos en route to the Benin Republic and other parts of the West African region. Some victims are also trafficked via land routes.” Waziri-Azi reiterated her earlier appeal to Nigerians, saying, “I urge you to exercise caution, ask questions, and seek a second opinion before accepting tempting offers. Do not allow desperation to cloud your judgment.”