Nigeria’s anti-human trafficking agency, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, has rescued 15 people from a suspected human trafficking syndicate allegedly operating under the cover of an online marketing business in Nasarawa State.

According to PUNCH, the operation took place in the Keffi and Karu local government areas following intelligence reports on suspicious activities linked to fraudulent online recruitment.

In a statement shared on its official X account on Wednesday, NAPTIP said officers from its Investigation Department and Intelligence and International Cooperation Unit carried out the raid on May 7. The agency said those rescued included four women and 11 men, with some of the victims identified as foreign nationals.

The agency said preliminary findings suggested the suspects used the online marketing front to recruit and harbour unsuspecting individuals under conditions linked to human trafficking, cyber exploitation and other organised criminal activities.

NAPTIP described the case as both a security and humanitarian concern, warning that deceptive recruitment schemes continue to expose vulnerable people to abuse and exploitation.

The agency said investigations are ongoing to uncover the full network and identify additional collaborators. It also urged Nigerians to report suspicious recruitment operations and unusual movements in their communities to law enforcement authorities.

PUNCH reported that the rescue highlights growing concerns over traffickers exploiting digital job offers and online business schemes to lure victims into criminal networks.