TheCable

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has arrested members of a sextortion syndicate in the federal capital territory (FCT). 

Fatima Waziri-Azi, the agency’s director-general, on Tuesday, described the arrest as a breakthrough.

She said the arrest followed intense surveillance and undercover operation in response to several complaints from victims and stakeholders.

The DG added that the arrest was a record for the agency in its efforts to address issues of sextortion as the group was known for terrorising young girls and other residents of the FCT.

“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,” Waziri-Azi said.

“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)”

“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.”

The NAPTIP boss called for increased vigilance among parents and encouraged victims of sextortion to speak up and report such cases.