The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has cautioned that people who frequent gyms, especially women, face a growing risk of sextortion, relationship scams and human trafficking.
NAPTIP’s Public Relations Officer, Vincent Adekoye, gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja at a briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for public relations officers of security agencies.
Adekoye said traffickers were exploiting social relationships and people’s trust to draw victims into criminal networks.
According to him, the criminals often approach targets at gyms, recreational centres and similar social settings, posing as helpful service providers.
“They offer help with domestic needs, shopping, sourcing goods and other everyday tasks, a move designed to build familiarity and get the victim’s phone number,” he explained.
He said that once they have the contact details, they slowly build closeness, sometimes calling at odd hours and presenting themselves as dependable people who are always available.
“They may offer assistance when someone experiences difficulties, such as a vehicle breakdown, or suddenly appear with offers of help.
“These seemingly harmless gestures are often part of a deliberate strategy to gain the victim’s trust,” he said.
The NAPTIP spokesman named fake online job advertisements as another tactic used by traffickers. He said some job seekers travel long distances for employment, only to fall into the hands of traffickers.
He cited the case of a lawyer who travelled from Benue State to Abuja for an alleged job at a law chamber but ended up a trafficking victim.
Adekoye added that some trafficking cases leave victims with severe emotional and psychological damage, including unwanted pregnancies.
“I personally interacted with the victim, and the experience was deeply disturbing,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to be careful when forming online relationships or accepting unsolicited offers of help and employment.
“People should avoid rushing into online friendships and should always verify the identities and intentions of individuals they meet, particularly those making attractive offers of jobs, financial assistance or other opportunities,” he advised.
Update on NAPTIP operations
Giving an account of the agency’s work, Adekoye said NAPTIP had secured 16 convictions for human trafficking and related offences.
He said the agency had rescued and received 221 Nigerian trafficking victims through the international airports in Abuja and Lagos.
He added that heightened surveillance at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport led to the interception of 65 potential victims allegedly being recruited for exploitation in the Middle East.
The spokesman further disclosed that NAPTIP, working with the Rivers State Government, had shut down 16 suspicious health facilities in Port Harcourt, following a nationwide operation targeting compromised medical centres.
On the alleged trafficking of over 300 children from Benue and Nasarawa States, Adekoye said investigations had progressed. He said the suspect allegedly posed as a civil society leader.
He said operatives had recovered six more children, bringing the total number of rescued minors in the case to 117, while the trial of the suspects was ongoing in Makurdi.
Adekoye said NAPTIP had also stepped up public awareness campaigns following a reported rise in cases of sextortion, rape and revenge pornography nationwide.
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