From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has received 105 Nigerians rescued from cybercrime operations in Ghana following a coordinated crackdown on syndicates operating in the West African country.
A statement issued on Monday, by Vincent Adekoye, Head of NAPTIP’s Press and Public Relations Unit, indicated that the operation, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), followed an alert from Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority to NAPTIP, which led the participating Nigerian security and law enforcement agencies.
According to NAPTIP, the Ghanaian authorities rescued 119 Nigerians during the operation, with 105 repatriated to Nigeria, while the remaining 14 were still undergoing processing as of the announcement.
Receiving the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government, NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Lami Adamu Bello, assured them of their safety and urged them to remain calm while the government carried out profiling and reintegration procedures.
Bello said the agency was committed to protecting the dignity and welfare of the returnees and ensuring that each person received appropriate assistance based on their individual circumstances.
The operation involved several Nigerian agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and other partners also participated.
NAPTIP commended the Ghanaian authorities, particularly the Cyber Security Authority.
Ghana and the Ghana Immigration Service, as well as the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, for their operational support.
The agency also acknowledged the role of ONSA, Nigerian security and law enforcement agencies, and other partners in facilitating the operation.
It said the development underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians from human trafficking, exploitation and the dangers associated with irregular migration.
NAPTIP added that it would continue to strengthen national and international cooperation to combat human trafficking and related forms of exploitation, while ensuring that people rescued during such operations received appropriate screening, protection and support.
The agency also cautioned Nigerians against accepting suspicious employment offers, scholarship opportunities and other promises of a better life abroad without proper verification.
It urged prospective migrants to be wary of offers featuring unrealistic promises, vague job descriptions or questionable recruitment arrangements, warning that such opportunities could expose them to exploitation and criminal activities.
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