Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has warned that online scams are increasingly being used as a tool to lure victims into human trafficking networks.
In a message to mark the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (observed on July 30), Mrs Tinubu noted that human trafficking has evolved beyond traditional forms to include online deception, forced criminality, and organised transnational crime.
Referencing this year’s theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” she highlighted how many young Nigerians, including graduates, are being deceived with fake employment and investment opportunities abroad.
Once recruited, victims often end up trapped in exploitative conditions and forced to engage in criminal activities.
She urged citizens, communities, and institutions to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and protect vulnerable individuals from traffickers’ sophisticated methods.
“Let us remain vigilant, protect the vulnerable, and ensure that no one falls victim to exploitation,” Mrs Tinubu said.
She emphasised the need for collective action to build a society where people can live with freedom, dignity, and hope.
The United Nations General Assembly established World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in 2013 to raise global awareness and promote the protection of victims’ rights.
Nigeria remains a significant source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), 156 victims have been rescued since January 2026, while over 300 Nigerians were repatriated from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in 2025.
NAPTIP Director-General Binta Adamu Bello recently disclosed that over 300,000 people are trafficked annually into scam compounds across Southeast Asia.
Victims are often forced under threats to run romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and other online investment schemes targeting individuals in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Fake job offers in fields like information technology, digital marketing, and cryptocurrency trading have become one of the fastest-growing methods.
Upon arrival abroad, victims reportedly have their travel documents confiscated and are coerced into fraudulent online activities.
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