The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned Nigerians against trending fake job advertisements in oil and gas sectors in West African countries.
NAN reports that Fatima Waziri-Azi, the director-general of NAPTIP, issued the alert in Abuja on Sunday in a statement signed by Vincent Adekoye, the agency’s communication officer.
She said the agency has uncovered a new ploy by some suspected human traffickers, who are exploiting coordinated global brand trademarks and making unrealistic oil and gas job offers.
“As part of our comprehensive enlightenment strategies to equip Nigerians with timely and accurate information to reduce their vulnerability, we have received reports indicating that traffickers have adopted new tactics to lure unsuspecting victims, predominantly to Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, and other West African nations,” the statement reads.
“Under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities in gold mining and oil companies, victims are enticed with promises of monthly incomes as high as Nine Hundred Dollars ($900.00), which, as always, are blatant lies.
“Victims are often instructed to bring up to Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N850,000) for documentation and other logistical expenses.
“Upon arrival at their destination, traffickers confiscate this money, along with the victims’ phones and other personal belongings.
“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 Benin Republic and other parts of the West African region. Some victims are also trafficked via land routes.”
Waziri-Azi urged Nigerians to exercise caution, ask questions, and seek second opinions before accepting any tempting offers.