FG raises alarm over rising cyber slavery targeting Nigerian youths in West Africa

The Federal Government has sounded a strong warning over the alarming rise of cyber slavery across parts of West Africa, with Nigerian citizens, particularly vulnerable youths and teenagers, being increasingly targeted by criminal syndicates.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government revealed that many young Nigerians are being lured abroad with false promises of lucrative job offers, especially in the booming cryptocurrency sector.

However, once abroad, they are trafficked and forced to work in organized cybercrime operations under harsh and inhumane conditions.

The Ministry described the situation as a grave concern, emphasizing the urgent need for greater vigilance and coordinated action to dismantle these multibillion-dollar criminal networks and protect Nigerian citizens from exploitation.

According to the Ministry, victims are trafficked into highly structured scam centers, commonly referred to as “419 cyber-scam factories,” where they are enslaved and coerced into sending thousands of fraudulent emails, text messages, and phone calls daily with the intent of defrauding victims worldwide.

Highlighting the growing threat, the Ministry cited a recent case in Ghana where the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) in Accra rescued and detained a group of Nigerians who had been forced into cybercrime operations under appalling conditions.

The incident, the Ministry said, underscores the brutal exploitation and abuse associated with these criminal activities.

READ ALSO: UNODC warns of global surge in Asian-led cybercrime syndicates in Africa, South Africa

The Federal Government, through the Ministry, strongly urged all Nigerians — especially youths and parents — to exercise extreme caution when presented with employment offers, particularly those that promise easy wealth, international travel, or remote work involving cryptocurrencies.

It advised that all job offers should be thoroughly verified through official channels and that any suspicious opportunities should be promptly reported to the appropriate authorities for investigation and necessary action.

In response to the growing crisis, the Ministry assured the public that the government is collaborating closely with regional partners, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations to combat cyber slavery, rescue victims, and bring those responsible to justice.

Reaffirming its commitment, the Ministry stressed that it remains determined to safeguard the rights and welfare of Nigerian citizens both at home and abroad, while continuing to raise awareness about emerging threats targeting vulnerable populations.

This warning comes just days after the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) disclosed that nearly $65 million was lost over the past two years to financially motivated sextortion scams allegedly perpetrated by Nigerian nationals.

Offenders in these cases reportedly threatened victims with the release of compromising images unless they received immediate payments, often via gift cards, mobile money services, wire transfers, or cryptocurrencies.