The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned Nigerians against falling victim to human traffickers who exploit social relationships, gyms and fake job advertisements to recruit unsuspecting victims.

The agency said traffickers often approach women in recreational centres and other social environments, build relationships with them and gradually gain their trust before luring them into trafficking networks.

The spokesman for NAPTIP, Adekoye Vincent, gave the warning yesterday during a joint briefing by security and intelligence agencies in Abuja.

Vincent explained that traffickers sometimes disguise themselves as service providers offering assistance with domestic needs, shopping and other everyday activities to establish familiarity with potential victims..

He said, “Traffickers are increasingly exploiting social relationships and the vulnerabilities of unsuspecting individuals, particularly women, to lure victims into their traps.

“One of the methods they use is to approach people in places such as gyms, recreational centres and other social environments.

“They initially present themselves as service providers, offering assistance with domestic needs, shopping, sourcing goods and other everyday activities.”

According to him, the traffickers obtain the telephone numbers of their targets and gradually build relationships by making themselves appear dependable and readily available to offer assistance.

He said some would deliberately appear whenever their potential victims encountered difficulties, including vehicle breakdowns, as part of efforts to win their confidence.

“These seemingly harmless gestures are often part of a deliberate strategy to gain the victim’s trust,” he said.

The NAPTIP spokesman also raised concerns over the use of fake job advertisements, particularly online, to deceive job seekers and lure them into trafficking networks.

He disclosed that the agency had recorded cases of Nigerians who travelled long distances in search of employment but ended up in the hands of traffickers.

“We have recorded very disturbing cases involving people who travelled long distances in search of employment opportunities only to fall into the hands of traffickers.

“One particularly troubling case involved a lawyer who travelled from Benue State to a law chamber in Abuja but unfortunately fell into the wrong hands,” Vincent said.

He added that he personally interacted with the victim, describing the experience as deeply disturbing.

Vincent further warned that trafficking cases could have devastating emotional and psychological consequences for victims, sometimes resulting in unwanted pregnancies.

He urged Nigerians to exercise caution when establishing relationships online or accepting unsolicited offers of assistance and employment.

“People should avoid rushing into online friendships and should always verify the identities and intentions of individuals they meet, particularly those making attractive offers of jobs, financial assistance or other opportunities,” he advised.

Alpha 10 Group has officially opened its Port Harcourt branch, describing the launch as a long-term commitment to the economic future of Port Harcourt and the wider Niger Delta.

The launch was attended by representatives of regulatory and government institutions, members of the Board, valued clients and partners, members of the media, and management and staff of Alpha 10.

Speaking during his welcome address, the Chairman of Alpha 10 Group, Mr. Chibuzor Ekwekwuo, said the new office is not simply another branch in another Nigerian city, but a statement of intent and a long-term commitment to a region whose economic future the Group believes in.

He said Port Harcourt and the wider Niger Delta represent far more than a geographical market which Alpha 10 intends to be part of it.

“Our conviction is simple: opportunity should not be limited by geography,” he said.

He noted that Port Harcourt has for decades been the centre of Nigeria’s petroleum industry, hosting critical energy infrastructure and one of the largest concentrations of oil and gas companies in the country.

He added that the next chapter of its economic story will be broader, pointing to the recent Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit held in Port Harcourt as evidence of the shift towards investment, innovation, industrial growth and regional integration.

According to him, Rivers State contributes approximately N21 trillion to Nigeria’s economy, about 10 percent of national GDP, with a population of approximately 7.5 million people, making it one of the most sophisticated commercial ecosystems in the country.

Mr. Ekwekwuo said the financial services industry is changing rapidly, and the Board’s commitment is to ensure that Alpha 10’s growth remains anchored on sound governance, professional expertise, innovation and a deep understanding of clients’ needs.

He assured clients, partners, regulators and other stakeholders in Port Harcourt and across the South-South that the Group would operate with the same standards of governance and integrity that guide it everywhere, and will contribute meaningfully to the economic and investment ecosystem of the region.

He commended the management team and everyone who worked to make the milestone possible, noting that establishing a new branch requires commitment, planning and confidence in the future.

He also charged the management and staff of Alpha 10, especially the Port Harcourt team, to set a benchmark for the Group in service and client experience, and to become known not simply for its presence, but for the value it creates.

“We are confident about Port Harcourt. We are confident about the South-South. And we are confident about the future of Alpha 10,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the new office will become a platform for stronger relationships, greater investment and shared prosperity.

Also speaking, the Group Managing Director of Alpha 10, Mrs Abigail Utomi, said the vision of the Group is to build an integrated financial services group that delivers innovative value creation and wealth expansion, with an unwavering commitment to excellence.

She explained that the vision is daily being transformed into reality through specialized products and services delivered through three businesses within the Group.

“The first is the Capital Market business, which connects those who need capital to those who want to invest capital, whether through equity or debt.

“The second is Alpha 10 Global Markets Limited, incorporated in 2024, which provides services in the over-the-counter market. The third is Commercial Trust Limited, established in 1990 and acquired by Alpha 10 in 2024, to provide trust services and other related services.”

Mrs Utomi disclosed that in 2026, the Group launched three mutual funds, starting with the Alpha 10 Bond Fund.

She said the Group believes wealth creation extends beyond Naira investing, and for that reason launched the Dollar Fund to help investors protect their investments from currency risk and the constant devaluation of the Naira.

She said Alpha 10 is providing investment solutions that grow wealth for the retail investor, the high net-worth investor and the institutional investor, whether in money market or other instruments.

The Group Managing Director further disclosed that within nine months, from zero in January 2026, Alpha 10 has grown to N6.29 billion in regulated Net Asset Value of mutual funds in Nigeria, making it one of the fastest growing financial services groups participating in the Nigerian capital market today.

She attributed the growth to investments in people, processes, governance, institutional capacity, innovation, technology and solutions.

On expansion, Mrs. Utomi said the strategy is to bring locations closer to the people the Group serves, because investors, businesses and institutions need physical presence for assurance.

She noted that Port Harcourt is the Group’s fourth location, after Abuja, Lagos and Kano.

In his goodwill message, His Royal Majesty of Rebisi Kingdom, Eze Isaiah Elikwu, represented by Eze Arthur Kalagbor Onubam, Kingdom, welcomed Alpha 10 to Port Harcourt.

He said the Kingdom has received the assurance from the Chairman of Alpha 10 that this is not just another financial institution in Port Harcourt.

He said that the people of Port Harcourt had been sad because of what some investment companies did in the past.

“But I think there is something different about what we are doing here today,” he said.

He assured that as a Kingdom, the Rebisi people welcome Alpha 10, and that their job is to partner with the Group and give it their support in accordance with the law.

  Kiadum Edookor

An elder statesman and Niger Delta activist, Pa Rev Sokari Benjamin Soberekon, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his commendable efforts towards national development, particularly in road infrastructure, while calling on Nigerians and prospective presidential aspirants to support the President’s administration.
Soberekon, in a statement, urged Nigerians to join him in appreciating President Tinubu for his efforts to address some of the country’s longstanding challenges, noting that the President should not be blamed for all the problems confronting Nigeria but rather encouraged to continue his development initiatives.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s history, he recalled the famous song, “Which Way Nigeria,” by popular highlife maestro, Sonny Okosun, as well as “Nigeria Jagajaga” by Idris Abdulkareem, which highlighted the country’s challenges during different administrations.
According to him, despite the difficulties facing the country, the Tinubu administration has demonstrated a commitment to national development, particularly through major road infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He, however, appealed to President Tinubu not to abandon the challenges facing Nigeria’s existing road network while pursuing new infrastructure projects outside the country. He specifically urged the President to give priority attention to the East-West Road, calling for its comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction to a standard comparable to the Coastal Highway.
Soberekon also appealed to President Tinubu and patriotic Nigerians involved in the oil industry to explore ways of reducing fuel prices to ease the economic burden on citizens and improve their standard of living.
Recounting his history of activism, the Octogenarian disclosed that he once protested against an increase in petrol prices during the administration of former President Shehu Shagari, when the price reportedly rose from 9.5 kobo to 15 kobo per litre.
He said his intervention led to the President reconsidering the increase and reducing the price in oil-producing areas.
He also recalled his advocacy for the interests of oil-producing communities, particularly the demand for a fairer share of the nation’s oil resources, which he linked to the eventual approval of the 13 per cent oil derivation principle.
On the issue of political succession, Soberekon acknowledged that several Nigerians, both Christians and Muslims, possess the capacity and qualifications to aspire to the presidency. However, he appealed to them to allow President Tinubu to complete his first and second terms before seeking to succeed him.
He described the desire of a departing leader to have a worthy successor as a natural aspiration, stressing that political ambition should not override the need for continuity, stability and national development.
Quoting Proverbs 24:23, he underscored the importance of wisdom in leadership and succession.
He further called for religious harmony, describing Christians and Muslims as inseparable components of Nigeria’s national identity, just like the teeth and tongue, which coexist in one mouth.
According to him, both religious groups should continue to live together in peace, mutual respect and understanding, irrespective of their differences.
The human rights advocate also recalled his previous advocacy for the restructuring of Nigeria into six geopolitical zones, but expressed the view that the extensive road infrastructure initiative of the Tinubu administration, particularly the Coastal Highway, represents a significant step towards national integration and connectivity.