Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

NAPTIP bursts notorious sextortion syndicate in FCT

By Tina Abeku, Abuja
04 April 2023   |   8:55 pm
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has arrested members of a notorious sextortion syndicate in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Abuja following intense surveillance and underwear operation by the agency trailing the group.

NAPTIP DG, Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi

*Worries over growing cases

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has arrested members of a notorious sextortion syndicate in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Abuja following intense surveillance and underwear operation by the agency trailing the group.

Director-General NAPTIP, Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, made this known yesterday in Abuja.

She said the group is known for perpetrating gruesome acts of sextortion and terrorizing young girls and other residents of the FCT and its environs.

In a communique signed by the agency’s press officer, Vincent Adekoya, the DG described the arrest as a major breakthrough because of the growing number of complaints and reported cases reaching the agency by victims and stakeholders.

According to the communique, “Sextortion is a crime that occurs when someone threatens to distribute nudes and private videos of another person when that person refuses to grant them sexual favours or pay them money.

“It is sexual exploitation as it is where the perpetrator uses coercion and threats to compel the victim to produce sexual images or videos engaging in sexual acts and this act is punishable under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 (as re-enacted)”.

Professor Waziri – Azi, expressed concern about the incremental cases of sextortion perpetrated by mostly young men against young girls within the FCT and called for increased vigilance among parents and stakeholders.

The Director General explained, “After the criminals have one or more videos or pictures, they threaten to publish that content, or they threaten violence, to get the victim to produce more images.

“The shame, fear, and confusion victims feel when caught in this cycle often prevent them from asking for help or reporting the abuse.”

She advice young girls to be aware of this criminal trend and protect themselves by reporting all cases of sextortion to NAPTIP,

“Do not be afraid to speak up. Do not be gaslighted into thinking it was your fault. It is a crime and a crime against you. Report all perpetrators. If you do not report, you are emboldening these criminals, and what happened to you will definitely happen to someone else’’
.
“Parents, please support your children if they report cases of sextortion to you. Do not revile them. A lapse in judgment should not lead to condemnation’’.

“If you or someone you know is a sextortion victim, you can help stop the harassment by reporting it to NAPTIP. Save all conversations, chats, or messages between yourself and the perpetrator’’.

“Do not pay or share more of your sexual images with them. Your webcam or recording devices can be activated remotely as such, never have your phone or other electronic camera devices pointed at you while undressing or in a position, you would not want to share with the world. Be smart and stay safe”, she said.

In this article

0 Comments