The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons or NAPTIP has arrested members of the notorious cult known for perpetrating gruesome acts of sextortion and terrorizing young girls and other residents of the FCT and its environs.
The arrest was made after intense surveillance and undercover operation by the agency, sanctioned by its Director General, Fatima Waziri - Azi.
This was revealed in a press statement seen by Prime Progress and signed by Vincent Adekoye, the Press Officer of the agency, where he said the operation became necessary after several complaints by victims.
The statement reads; "It would be recalled that the Agency has recently been inundated by a series of complaints from victims of sextortion who have been blackmailed with a plea for assistance.
"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 favors or pay them money," Adekoye said.
He noted that sextortion is punishable under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 (as re-enacted).
Quoting the head of the agency, the statement said “Waziri Azi, expressed grave concerns 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."
She said, "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 advises young girls to be aware of the sextortion trend and protect themselves by reporting all cases of it 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".
She also urged parents to support their children if they report cases of sextortion to them, instead of condemning them.
"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." Waziri-Azi added.
