Human traffickers plan to use 2018 FIFA World Cup to recruit and traffic Nigerian youths out of the country - NAPTIP

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said that some human trafficking syndicate are planning to use the forthcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia to traffic Nigerian youths out of the country.

The DG of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, disclosed the development today during a press conference held in Abuja

 "It has come to the knowledge of the Agency that some dishonest persons and network of human traffickers have concluded plans to use the forthcoming World Cup tournament tagged “Russia 2018” to recruit and traffic of Nigerian youths out of the country. Part of the plot is to float unregistered Football Supporters Club, Unofficial government delegation as well as unrecognized youth bodies and use such platforms to collect huge sums of money from some desperate youths with the promise to ferry them out of Nigeria using the world cup tournament. It was also gathered that these wicked traffickers with collaborators at the destination countries have also arranged with their cohorts in Europe to facilitate the defection of the victims out of Moscow." she said.

Furthermore, she drew the attention of the various Ministries of Women Affairs, departments of Gender and Social Welfare in the 36 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the upsurge in the nefarious activities of some unregistered orphanages and Baby Care Homes who now specialize in outright sale of children.

"It is sad to imagine that children that are brought to life with much joy and hope are deceitfully trafficked from remote villages under the pretence of giving them good life in the city only to be displayed as wares inside those unregistered structures called Orphanages and later sold for various purposes." she said.

While urging the concerned government departments to review those laws that permit floating of orphanages at random even by people of questionable characters, she informed them that NAPTIP has commenced advocacy with the Legislative arms of government across the country with a view to expanding its oversight roles in this regard.