Verify overseas job offers before accepting, UK and FG warn Nigerians

2026-02-23 - 17:37

...highlight risks of cyber-trafficking and exploitation By Favour Ulebor, Abuja The United Kingdom and the Federal Government of Nigeria have cautioned Nigerians to thoroughly verify overseas job offers, citing rising cyber-trafficking risks that endanger both Nigerian and British citizens. The warning was issued on Monday in Abuja during a survivor-centred event titled “Confronting the Global Scam Centre Crisis: Perspectives of Nigerian Survivors,” convened by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in partnership with the British High Commission. The programme brought together recently repatriated Nigerians trafficked to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, where many were forced into sophisticated online fraud operations under exploitative conditions. Speaking at the event, UK Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Gill Lever Obe, said the gathering was aimed at listening to survivors who had shown remarkable courage in sharing their experiences. She noted that the UK is working closely with NAPTIP, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EDEN, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to ensure survivors receive trauma-informed care and safe repatriation. Their courage, she said, would help prevent others from falling victim, adding that the UK stands firmly with Nigeria and African Commonwealth partners in confronting the rapidly evolving threat. Emphasising the global scale of the crisis, she stated: “This is not just a regional issue; it is a global security challenge and a direct threat to UK and Nigerian citizens. Scam centres across Southeast Asia defraud innocent people of over $64 billion annually. “British people lost an estimated £11.4 billion to scams in 2024, with UK SIM cards and UK-labelled compounds found in raids. When African Commonwealth nationals are trafficked into these criminal hubs, everyone loses — Nigeria’s citizens are harmed, our citizens are defrauded, and criminals profit.” According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) 2026 report titled “A Wicked Problem,” at least 120,000 people are held in scam operations in Myanmar, with more than 300,000 victims across Southeast Asia from at least 66 countries. Between 2020 and 2025, about 74 per cent of victims trafficked into scam centres globally were sent to the region with promises of high-paying jobs. NAPTIP’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe, who represented Director-General Binta Adamu Bello, said survivors’ testimonies expose the brutal reality of trafficking into scam centres. “The courage these survivors have shown in sharing their stories is remarkable. Their experiences reveal a crime that strips people of dignity and freedom. NAPTIP remains committed to protecting Nigerian citizens from this growing threat and appreciates the steadfast support of our partners in helping survivors heal and rebuild their lives,” she said. Survivors recounted being deceived by fake job offers, having their passports confiscated, and being forced into cybercrime operations under threats and intimidation. One survivor said: “I was promised 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. I am sharing my story so other Nigerians can recognise the warning signs and protect themselves.” Authorities stressed the need for intelligence sharing, stronger law-enforcement cooperation, public awareness, and survivor-centred support to prevent further exploitation. The UK and NAPTIP advised Nigerians to verify overseas job offers, noting that legitimate employers do not recruit solely through social media, demand upfront payments, or use tourist visas for employment.