Human Traffickers Now Collecting Female Victims’ Menstrual Periods For Oath-Taking, Says NAPTIP
- The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has disclosed how human traffickers deploy disturbing tactics to overpower female victims' psychology
- Kwara state commander of NAPTIP, Saadu Mustapha Ajara, explained why trafficking Nigeria is witnessing increased trafficking of young girls and women
- The agency warns Nigerians, especially youths, against falling for fake job offers and promises of greener pastures abroad due to exploitation by human trafficking syndicates
Ilorin, Kwara state - The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised fresh alarm over the cruel and shocking tactics currently being deployed by human traffickers to control their victims.
Source: Getty Images
Saadu Mustapha Ajara, the Kwara state commander of NAPTIP, mentioned that traffickers now go as far as collecting the menstrual periods of their female victims to use for fetish oath-taking rituals.
He disclosed this during a live radio programme on Diamond 887FM Ilorin on Monday, August 18, 2025, which was monitored by Legit.ng.
Poverty, greed driving human trafficking - NAPTIP
According to Ajara, poverty and greed remain the driving factors fueling the trafficking of Nigerians, particularly young girls and women, who are lured with promises of better lives abroad.
“The first factor that is making human trafficking in Nigeria thrive is poverty, abject poverty among citizens. The belief that one’s fortune lies abroad and not in Nigeria is another reason why the business is booming. Greed also plays a role,” Ajara explained.
He further stated that traffickers are constantly devising new methods to keep their victims under control, including the use of traditional oath-taking ceremonies.
“You see, these traffickers are very smart. They always study people to know which kind of deception will work for them. What they do now is that before they take their victims out of Nigeria, they will conduct oath-taking," he added
Traffickers collect female body parts for oath-taking
"During this process, they ask for things like armpit hair, eyelashes, and give them to herbalists. When the victims are abroad, they use those substances to threaten them whenever they sense resistance,” he said.
Ajara went on to state that in recent times, the traffickers have added a disturbing twist, demanding that their female victims surrender their menstrual blood.
“Traffickers now collect monthly periods from their female victims for oath-taking substances. They keep using it to threaten the victims that if they disobey them abroad, they will run mad. That is their control mechanism,” the commander disclosed.
Beyond the fetish practices, the traffickers also employ psychological intimidation by seizing the valid travel documents of their victims.
“For those who even have genuine travel papers, the traffickers will seize everything and use it as another tool of blackmail. The victims are told that they can never escape or return home without those documents,” he added.
NAPTIP warns Nigerians against trafficking
NAPTIP has consistently warned Nigerians, especially youths, against falling for fake job offers and promises of greener pastures abroad.
The agency maintains that human trafficking syndicates continue to exploit desperation and lack of awareness among vulnerable citizens.
Ajara stressed that the agency, alongside security agencies, is intensifying its fight against traffickers in Kwara and across the country, but also called on Nigerians to be more vigilant and cautious.
He urged families and communities to report suspicious movements or offers to the authorities, warning that many young Nigerians have ended up in prostitution, forced labour, and dangerous living conditions abroad after being deceived by traffickers.
Source: Getty Images
NAPTIP declares Speed Darlington wanted
Legit.ng previously reported on Friday, June 27, 2025, NAPTIP declared Nigerian entertainer, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, wanted in connection with alleged offences, including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
NAPTIP made this known via a terse statement shared on its website on X @naptipnigeria on Friday afternoon.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Atanda Omobolaji (Kwara State Correspondent)
Abdul-Hafeez Fadehan (Editorial Assistant) Abdul-Hafeez Fadehan is a Legit.ng journalist with over a year of experience writing for Punch Newspaper. He received his BSc in Criminology and Security Studies from FUOYE. His background in media communications and criminology, with practical experience in research, interviewing, and digital media, allows him to craft compelling narratives that drive positive change. Fadehan is an Editorial Assistant on Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng. He is committed to ethical journalism, leveraging his skills to create a meaningful impact. Reach him at abdul-hafeez.fadehan@corp.legit.ng or 070622666732.
