• NUSA condemns another attack on Nigerians in South Africa
The Federal Government, yesterday, raised the alarm over the growing threat of cyber-slavery in West Africa.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this in a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

Tuggar expressed concern over the alarming rise in cases of cyber-slavery across parts of West Africa, which he said, “primarily targets Nigerian citizens, especially vulnerable youths.”

According to him, many young Nigerians, including underage teenagers, are being lured out of the country with false promises of lucrative employment opportunities abroad, particularly in crypto-related operations.

“In reality, these individuals are trafficked into sophisticated scam operations and forced to work in criminal call centres, often referred to as 419 cyber-scam factories,” the minister said .

“There, under coercive and inhumane conditions, they are compelled to send thousands of fraudulent emails, text messages, and calls aimed at defrauding victims worldwide,” he added .

Tuggar cited a recent incident where the Economic and Organised Crime Office in Accra, Ghana, rescued and detained a group of Nigerians who were forced into cybercrime activities under inhumane conditions.

“This incident highlights the severe exploitation and abuse associated with cybercrime operations,” he stated.

The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) has condemned another brutal attack on seven Nigerians and the kidnapping of one Ani Silas on Thursday in Springs, Gauteng Province.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Akindele Olunloyo, in a statement yesterday, said Silas was beaten unconscious and forcibly taken from his workplace by a member of staff of a television station.

The statement claimed that the assailant was accompanied by his media team, private security personnel and members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) Crime Prevention Unit attached to the Springs SAPS Station.