Human Trafficking: Agency cautions Youths against fake scholarship offers

The National Agency For The Prohibition Of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), has warned Nigerian youths against fake scholarship and job offers within and outside the country.

The Agency’s Director-General, Fatima Waziri-Azi gave the advice during the Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Walk held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

She called for thorough research into foreign opportunities adding that some countries are now destinations for human trafficking and exploitation.

According to her Nigerian youths should explore the potentials in the country rather than travelling abroad through unverified sources to seek alternative means of living.

“Be circumspect about the offers you get whether for jobs or scholarships, do your research, ask questions, North Cyprus is now a destination, Dubai is now a destination, it never ends well

“Once someone tells don’t tell anyone that in itself is a red flag, please take for the hills and don’t look back 

“For the young people, for every opportunity, you get to keep educating yourself and educate others about issues of human trafficking.“

She decried the alarming rate at which Nigerian youths fall victims of trafficking which often leads to enslavement.

Waziri-Azi added that some foreign travels promote the sexual exploitation of victims, she stated that this is a crime which is punishable by Nigerian Law.

Dr Waziri Azi further assured Nigerians that NAPTIP would continue to tackle and prevent all forms of human degradation and exploitation, through the coordinated use of the nation’s crime prevention and law enforcement resources.

The Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Walk was in commemoration of the 2022 World Day Against Human Trafficking with the theme; “Uses And Abuse Of Technology.”

PIAK