Beware of Trafficking Traps on Social Media, NAPTIP Warns Ogun Students
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has intensified its campaign against human trafficking among secondary school students in Ogun State.
The agency warned that traffickers are increasingly using social media platforms to lure young people into dangerous situations. Students were advised to be cautious about online friendships and offers that seem too good to be true.
The Ogun State Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs Bose Jimoh, gave the warning during a sensitisation programme at Adeola Odutola College in Ijebu-Ode.
The event was organized in collaboration with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development under a project funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The initiative aims to reach 50 secondary schools across the state to educate students on the dangers of trafficking.
Jimoh explained that traffickers often pretend to be friends online before luring victims with promises of jobs, sports opportunities, or romantic relationships.
She highlighted emerging trends like sextortion, where criminals trick victims into sharing intimate photos and then blackmail them. The commander also warned about the risks of organ harvesting and illegal migration, urging students to stay in school and avoid risky decisions.
The programme has already covered 36 schools, with 30 students in each inaugurated as members of Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Persons Vanguard clubs. These student ambassadors are expected to educate their peers, parents, and communities about the dangers of human trafficking. NAPTIP officials commended the students for their understanding of the subject during interactive sessions.
This sensitization effort reflects a growing focus on prevention as the most effective tool against human trafficking. By equipping young people with knowledge, the agency hopes to reduce the number of victims falling prey to traffickers. The collaboration with schools and international partners is seen as a vital step in protecting the future of Nigerian youth.
Photo credit: Healthwise
