By AISHA GAMBO

The Joint Kaduna State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking has warned the public to beware of fraudulent online job offers and digital scams used by cyber-traffickers to trap unsuspecting victims.

The warning was issued during a public sensitization walk through the streets of Kaduna to commemorate the World Day Against Human Trafficking, centered on the theme “Trapped Behind the Scam.”

Speaking to journalists during the rally, the Kaduna State Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr Labaran Ado, disclosed that the agency has secured over 850 convictions nationwide.

He added that the Kaduna Command had secured four convictions since 2021, 12 active court cases, and several ongoing investigations.

Ado confirmed that cyber-enabled exploitation, organ harvesting schemes, and deceptive recruitment remain major drivers of trafficking in the region.

“Kaduna serves as a source, transit, and destination state for human trafficking. On a daily basis, victims are trafficked or passed through the state.

“However, through multi-agency collaboration, the command recently rescued and repatriated two survivors from Ivory Coast”, he said.

Reiterating the state’s zero-tolerance stance against tech-driven exploitation,the State Commissioner for Justice, Sir James Kanyip stressed that Kaduna is fully committed to prosecuting perpetrators.

Represented by the Solicitor-General of the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice, Ms. Jummai Danazumi , the commissioner said human traffickers were increasingly using false jobs, online scams, and fake promises to exploit children and youth.

“We are fully committed to prevention, prosecution, and victim protection. Trafficking thrives in silence, but in Kaduna, we choose to speak out”, he said.

Mrs Bukola Ajao, Legal Practitioner and Chairperson of the Civil Society Coalition Against SGBV in Kaduna State, cautioned that traffickers now target victims directly via social media.

“This year’s theme is so unique because technology that should assist us is now being used to traffic people.

“Traffickers talk directly to targets on social media with sweet words, offering fake job offers like ₦300,000 monthly salaries, fake contract seminars, or even sending free air tickets.

“Once the victim travels, their phones are seized, leaving them isolated and trapped.”

Ajao particularly urged parents to monitor their children closely during the August school holidays, cautioning against sending minors on unsafe errands or allowing them to visit unfamiliar acquaintances met online.

The taskforce urged citizens, parents, and community leaders to stay vigilant on digital platforms and promptly report suspicious job offers or online recruitment schemes to NAPTIP and law enforcement agencies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the street walk brought together major security outfits, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Others are the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), alongside civil society organizations and community groups. (NAN)