Anti-human trafficking day: NAPTIP, ICMPD warn against fake job offers

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned Nigerians to beware of fake job offers, scholarships and travel opportunities on social media.

The Benin Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Sam Offiah, gave the warning on Thursday in Benin during activities marking the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

The theme of the day is “Trapped Behind the Scam’’.

The awareness campaign was organised by NAPTIP in collaboration with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) under its anti-human trafficking project in Nigeria.

Offiah said human traffickers were increasingly exploiting digital platforms to recruit unsuspecting victims.

He said the theme reflected the growing use of social media and other online platforms by traffickers.

He said the traffickers used the platforms to lure victims with false promises of employment, education, modelling opportunities and better lives abroad.

‘’Many victims only realise they have been deceived after arriving at their destinations, where they are subjected to various forms of exploitation, ‘’ he said.

The zonal commander urged young people and other Nigerians to be cautious of opportunities that appeared too good to be true and to verify every offer before taking action.

“Traffickers have become more sophisticated.

‘’They now exploit technology and social media to deceive unsuspecting persons with promises of jobs, scholarships, modelling opportunities and travel abroad.

“People must verify every opportunity before responding because many of these offers are designed to lure victims into exploitation,” he said.

Offiah described human trafficking as a gross violation of human rights and called for greater public vigilance and community participation in tackling the crime.

Also speaking, an officer, Mr Elvis Ederibhalo, said technology had become a double-edged sword, creating new opportunities for traffickers to target vulnerable persons.

Ederibhalo is the School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project Officer for Edo at ICMPD.

He said combating the evolving tactics of traffickers required sustained public awareness, digital literacy and stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society organisations, communities and development partners.

The officer urged parents, teachers, community leaders and young people to remain vigilant, verify online opportunities and promptly report suspicious activities to relevant authorities.

He reaffirmed ICMPD’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthened the prevention, protection and prosecution of trafficking in persons, while building community resilience against the crime.

The newsmen report that World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on July 30 to raise awareness of human trafficking and promote the protection of victims worldwide.

Part of activities to commemorate the day include a road walk by NAPTIP staff, who walked through major streets of Benin City to sensitise residents on the dangers of human trafficking.

The agency urged members of the public to report suspected trafficking cases through its toll-free 627 hotline, social media platforms or at the Benin Zonal Command.