Nigeria Sounds Alarm on ‘Cyber-Slavery’ Epidemic in West Africa By Raymond Enoch
The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stark warning to its citizens, especially the youth, about the growing menace of “cyber-slavery” — a new form of digital-age human trafficking gripping parts of West Africa.
In an urgent press release , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised the alarm over the exploitation of Nigerian youths who are lured abroad by false promises of lucrative jobs, particularly in cryptocurrency and tech-related sectors. Instead, they are trafficked and forced into modern-day slavery, operating from high-tech cyber-scam hubs — dubbed “419 cyber-scam factories” — where they are compelled under brutal conditions to commit online fraud targeting unsuspecting victims across the globe.
“The Ministry notes with grave concern the alarming rise of cyber-slavery across parts of West Africa,” the statement read. “Many young Nigerians, including underage teenagers, are trafficked into sophisticated scam operations and enslaved to work in criminal ‘call centres’.”
One such chilling case recently came to light in Accra, Ghana, where the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) rescued a group of Nigerians who had been coerced into cybercrime operations. Officials described the conditions as inhumane, further highlighting the expanding footprint and cruelty of these multibillion-dollar criminal networks.
“This is a crisis exploiting not just the bodies but the digital identities of our youth,” said Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry. “We urge every Nigerian, particularly parents and young job seekers, to verify any overseas job offers, especially those tied to cryptocurrency or remote tech work, and to report suspicious cases immediately.”
The Ministry announced that the Federal Government is intensifying its collaboration with regional partners, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations to identify trafficking rings, rescue victims, and bring perpetrators to justice.
As cyber-slavery morphs into a disturbing new face of human trafficking, Nigeria is stepping up its efforts to raise awareness and protect its most vulnerable citizens from falling into this digital trap.
“This is not just a crime — it’s a betrayal of the future of our nation,” the Ministry declared.
