The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has partnered with the British High Commission in Abuja to amplify the voices of Nigerian survivors trafficked into cyber-enabled scam operations in Southeast Asia.
At a survivor-centred event held in Abuja on Sunday, NAPTIP and the UK government drew attention to what they described as an emerging global crisis involving the trafficking of vulnerable persons into forced online fraud compounds in countries such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.
The event, titled “Confronting the Global Scam Centre Crisis: Perspectives of Nigerian Survivors,” featured testimonies from recently repatriated Nigerians who said they were lured abroad with promises of lucrative jobs but were later coerced into carrying out sophisticated cyber-fraud schemes under abusive and exploitative conditions.
The programme followed a joint rescue operation coordinated by NAPTIP, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok and a British non-governmental organisation, EDEN.
The effort led to the safe return of 23 Nigerian survivors earlier this month after on-the-ground interventions along the Thai–Myanmar border and welfare visits at Bangkok’s Immigration Detention Centre.
According to the 2026 report of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights titled “A Wicked Problem,” at least 120,000 people are currently being held in forced scam operations inside Myanmar alone, with the figure estimated to exceed 300,000 across Southeast Asia.
The report noted that survivors identified so far originate from at least 66 countries, while 74 per cent of known victims trafficked into scam centres between 2020 and 2025 were taken to Southeast Asia after being promised high-paying jobs.
Speaking at the event, the UK Deputy High Commissioner to Abuja, Gill Lever, said the UK was committed to supporting Nigeria in confronting the evolving threat.
“We are here today to listen to survivors who have shown remarkable bravery in sharing their experiences. The UK is working closely with NAPTIP, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EDEN and IOM to ensure survivors receive trauma-informed care and safe repatriation,” she said.
She added that the survivors’ courage would help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
Representing the Director-General of NAPTIP, Mrs Kehinde Akomolafe, the Director of Public Enlightenment, said the testimonies exposed the harsh realities of trafficking into scam centres.
“The courage these survivors have shown in sharing their stories is remarkable. Their experiences expose the brutal reality of trafficking into scam centres, a crime that strips people of their dignity and freedom,” she said.
She reaffirmed NAPTIP’s commitment to protecting Nigerians from emerging trafficking trends and appreciated the support of international partners in ensuring comprehensive care for victims.
One of the survivors, who spoke at the event, described how he was deceived by promises of a better life abroad.
“I was promised opportunity, a good job and a chance for a better life. Instead, I was trapped and forced to do things that went against everything I believe in, while living in constant fear,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to be vigilant and verify overseas job offers before travelling.
Human trafficking remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, with authorities increasingly raising concerns over new patterns involving digital exploitation and forced participation in cybercrime networks abroad.
Officials say the collaboration between NAPTIP and international partners is part of a broader strategy to strengthen prevention, rescue operations and survivor rehabilitation as traffickers adopt more sophisticated recruitment methods.
By: Dare Akogun
