By Oso Abidemi 

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised the alarm that human traffickers are now targeting Nigerian youths with computer and IT skills for cyber-enabled crimes across Southeast Asia.

NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, disclosed this after the agency rescued and repatriated 23 suspected victims of human trafficking from Thailand in a major international operation.

According to a statement issued by NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, the rescue was carried out through collaboration between Nigeria, Myanmar and the United Kingdom, targeting an organised criminal cartel believed to be recruiting young Nigerians for online scams.

Bello said the victims were deceived, recruited and trafficked to countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, where they were forced into cybercrimes including romance scams, cryptocurrency-related fraud and investment scams.

“This is a new dimension of the human trafficking phenomenon that targets vibrant and intelligent Nigerians,” she said.

Bello explained that traffickers deliberately seek out boys and girls who are skilled in computer and IT, particularly those who do not smoke or drink alcohol, and lure them with promises of scholarships and employment opportunities.

She added that upon arrival, victims are trained in scamming methods, with some enrolled in language schools, especially Chinese before being deployed as translators and customer care agents to deceive targets.

The NAPTIP boss said victims were made to target individuals and organisations in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Ethiopia and Canada.

She described the conditions as brutal, noting that the victims were kept in hostels under strict surveillance and punished if they failed to meet daily scam targets.

Bello further revealed that those who resisted were allegedly tortured or killed in what traffickers refer to as “the dark room,” while others, particularly younger victims were exposed to organ harvesting.

“This troubling development in trafficking in Southeast Asia calls for urgent action,” she said, adding that NAPTIP has reactivated its international networks to dismantle the syndicate behind the operations.

Bello also commended civil society groups in the region, including Eden in Myanmar, as well as the British Government and the Nigerian embassy in Bangkok, for supporting the rescue operation and facilitating the victims’ repatriation, including the issuance of Emergency Travel Certificates.

By Huldah Shado

Suspected kidnappers who abducted a doctor in Auchi, Edo State, and killed his younger brother have been arrested after the victim identified them at the hospital where he works.

Dr. Abu Ibrahim Babatunde recognised the suspects when they brought their sick children to the hospital for treatment.

Hospital authorities immediately alerted security personnel, and the suspects were taken into police custody.

Edo State Police spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the arrests, noting that an earlier suspect, Saminu Kawujie, had been apprehended on February 3 during a bush-combing operation at Warake Forest.

Police recovered knives, phones, an ATM card, and N20,250 from him. Kawujie was later identified as part of the gang.

On February 8, two more suspects, Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar, were arrested at the Specialist Hospital, Auchi. Idris was identified as the gang member who received the ransom for Dr. Babatunde’s release.

ASP Ikoedem said investigations are ongoing to apprehend other gang members and ensure justice.

By Ade Iyamoye 

The Kogi State Government has ordered the temporary closure of markets and motor parks in parts of Kogi West Senatorial District as security forces intensify operations against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.

The directive was announced on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who said the move was aimed at disrupting criminal logistics by cutting off access to food, fuel and other supplies used by insurgents and their collaborators.

Fanwo said the shutdown was supporting ongoing clearance operations being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and security agencies in the state.

“This action is designed to restrict the movement of consumables and deny criminal elements and their informants the logistical support they rely on during security operations,” he said.

According to the state government, the closure affects selected communities in seven local government areas. In Lokoja LGA, markets and parks in Oshokoshoko, Jakura, Ogbagbon, Agbaja, Atsawa, Obajana, Apata, Abugi, Amomi, Ebee and Budon were shut.

In Kabba-Bunu LGA, the directive covers Ike Bunu, Aba Marian (Isado), Ofere, Abaa Dola (Ihale Bunu), Aiyede, Oke Offin, Aiyegunle Bunu, Okebukun, Odo Ape Bunu, Agbadu Bunu and Agbede Apa Bunu.

Communities affected in Yagba West include Okoloke, Isanlu Esa, Okunran, Ogbe, Ejiba, Odo Eri, Igbaruku, Iyamerin, Ogga, Omi, Odo Ara and Oke Ere, while Yagba East covers Irunda Ile, Iyeh Ilotin, Gada, Odogbe and Ilafin.

In Kogi LGA, the shutdown applies to the rice market at Adingere, Koton Karfe, Okpareke and Girinya, as well as the okro market at Opanda and the perishable market at Edeha.

Markets and motor parks in Mopamuro LGA, Otafun Amuro, Oroke Amuro, Takete Ide Amuro, Okeagi, Illai, Ilemo and Ijagbe are also affected, along with markets in Ijumu LGA, including Ayegunle Gbedde, Iyah Gbedde, Ayetoro Gbedde, Ayeh Gbedde, Iluhagba, Odokoro and Okoro.

The state government said the measure is temporary and will be lifted immediately after the security operations are concluded.