Abuja, February 12, 2026 – The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has successfully rescued and repatriated 23 Nigerian youths who were suspected victims of human trafficking to Thailand, where they were allegedly lured into cyber-enabled criminal activities.
The agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirming that the victims—comprising 22 males and one female—were brought back to Nigeria on February 10, 2026, following coordinated efforts involving Nigerian diplomatic missions, Thai authorities, and international anti-trafficking partners.
According to NAPTIP, the young Nigerians, aged between 18 and 30, were reportedly deceived with promises of lucrative job opportunities in Thailand, only to be coerced into participating in online scams, including romance scams, investment fraud, and other forms of cyber-enabled financial crimes. Many of the victims were held in compounds under strict surveillance, forced to work long hours on fraudulent schemes targeting victims worldwide, and subjected to threats, intimidation, and physical abuse when they attempted to resist or escape.
The operation to rescue and repatriate the group was the result of months of intelligence gathering, victim identification, and diplomatic negotiations. NAPTIP revealed that the agency had received distress signals from some of the trapped youths through social media, family members, and anonymous tip-offs, prompting swift intervention.
Upon arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, the returnees were received by NAPTIP officials, medical personnel, and psychosocial support teams. They underwent initial health screenings, counseling, and debriefing before being reunited with their families or placed in safe shelters for further rehabilitation.
Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, described the rescue as a significant victory in the fight against transnational human trafficking and cyber slavery. “These young Nigerians were deceived with fake job offers, only to be trapped in a modern form of slavery involving cybercrime,” she stated. “NAPTIP remains resolute in dismantling syndicates that exploit our youths for profit. We will continue to collaborate with foreign governments and international organizations to bring our citizens home safely.”
The Director-General also warned Nigerians, especially job-seeking youths, to be cautious of overseas employment offers that appear too good to be true. “Many of these victims were promised high-paying jobs in customer service, IT, or digital marketing, only to end up in scam compounds. Always verify job offers through official channels and report suspicious recruitment to NAPTIP or the Nigeria Immigration Service,” she advised.
The repatriation aligns with Nigeria’s growing efforts to combat the emerging trend of “cyber slavery” or “pig butchering” scams, where traffickers traffic individuals to Southeast Asian countries—particularly Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos—to operate fraudulent online schemes. Reports indicate that thousands of Africans, including hundreds of Nigerians, have been trafficked into these operations in recent years, often enduring forced labour, confiscation of passports, and severe restrictions on movement.
NAPTIP disclosed that the rescued individuals will receive comprehensive support under the agency’s Victim Support and Rehabilitation Programme, including medical care, psychological counseling, legal assistance, and reintegration packages to help them rebuild their lives. Some of the victims have already provided statements that are expected to aid ongoing investigations into the trafficking networks.
The agency acknowledged the cooperation of the Thai authorities, the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other partners in facilitating the safe return. Efforts are also underway to identify and prosecute the recruiters, travel agents, and syndicate members in Nigeria who facilitated the victims’ departure.
This latest rescue brings to over 200 the number of Nigerians repatriated from Southeast Asian countries in the past two years under similar circumstances, highlighting the scale of the problem and the urgent need for increased awareness, border vigilance, and international collaboration.
NAPTIP reiterated its commitment to protecting vulnerable Nigerians from exploitation and urged members of the public to report any suspected cases of human trafficking through its toll-free helpline (07030002222) or via email at info@naptip.gov.ng.
As Nigeria continues to strengthen its response to both traditional and emerging forms of human trafficking, the successful repatriation of these 23 youths serves as a reminder of the agency’s determination to safeguard citizens abroad and hold perpetrators accountable.
