Members of a sextortion syndicate have been apprehended in the federal capital territory, according to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The agency's director-general, Fatima Waziri-Azi, called the capture a breakthrough on Tuesday.
According to her, the arrest came after a period of intense surveillance and an undercover operation in reaction to numerous complaints from victims and stakeholders.
The group was known for terrorizing young girls and other residents of the FCT, the DG continued, so the arrest represented a milestone for the agency in its efforts to address sextortion problems.
In her statement, she said ; "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.”
