The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Wednesday, 11 February, 2026 disclosed that it has rescued and repatriated 23 Nigerian youths suspected to be victims of human trafficking from Thailand, reports thegazellenews.com.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by
the Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of the agency, Mr Vincent Adekoye, who confirmed the development through a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, 11 February, 2026, said that the operation was carried out with the support and collaboration of Eden (Myanmar), with critical assistance from the British Government.
Adekoye said the operation was in continuation of the agency’s renewed onslaught against organised crime, just as he also disclosed that the victims who have already arrived in Nigeria were deceived, recruited, and trafficked to some south -east Asian countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, for cyber – enabled crimes.
Some of the crimes, him, includes romance scam, cryptocurrency-related fraud, and investment scam in the destination countries.
He said that the development came barely a few weeks after the Director General of NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, promised tough times for human traffickers in Nigeria.
Adekoye quoted NAPTIP D-G as promising an improved collaboration and upscale strategy to detect, dislodge, and disorganise activities of human trafficking targeting any Nigerian.
The NAPTIP boss raised the alarm about the traffickers’ new activities and called for collaboration among all stakeholders.
“This is a new dimension of the human trafficking phenomenon that targets vibrant and intelligent Nigerians.
“The trafficker goes after boys and girls who have one skill or the other, but preferably computer and IT skills, and who do not drink alcohol or smoke.
“They promise them a scholarship and gainful employment but on arrival at the destination country, the victims are trained on various methods of scam,” she said.
According to her, within the shortest period of time, many of them had graduated as translators and were offered the role of Customer Care to deceive their targets.
“Upon interrogation the victims said they were compelled to target individuals and organisations from the USA, UK, Ethiopia, and Canada for romance scams, investment scams, cryptocurrency scams, and other online frauds.
“They disclosed that they were accommodated in a hostel with bunks and provided with all the necessary gadgets, and were forced to go after their targets, while being closely monitored,” NAPTIP boss said, just as she explained that few of the victims who refused to do the bidding of the traffickers were tortured to death inside the horror chamber called ‘the dark room.’
“While others had their organs harvested, especially the young ones with non-smoking history.
“This is a new dimension in trafficking to destination countries in the Southeast Asian Region, and it is disturbing,” she said.
Adamu-Bello stated that NAPTIP had reactivated its various networks with the support of partners, assuring that this dangerous trafficking syndicate would be dismantled and its ringleaders brought to justice.
She expressed NAPTIP’s appreciation for the support and collaboration of civil society organisations in the South Asia region, Eden (Myanmar), the British Government, and the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
According to her, the Nigerian embassy in Bangkok, Thailand played a significant role in facilitating the repatriation process, including the issuance of Emergency Travel Certificates (ETCs) for some of the victims.
The Lagos State Government has begun handing over of 180 newly completed shops at the Alaba Rago Transnational Market as part of efforts to deliver modern trading infrastructure under public-private partnership arrangements.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the redevelopment of the market located in Iba Local Council Development Area began in November 2024 as part of the state’s THEMES Plus Agenda.
The Special Adviser on Electronic Geographic Information System (E-GIS), Dr Olajide Babatunde, made this known at the presentation of provisional letters of allocation to the beneficiaries, on Tuesday, 10 February, 2026.
