The Association of Recruiter License Placement Agents of Nigeria (ARLPAN) has raised concerns over the increasing activities of human traffickers in Nigeria. According to the group, several illegal agents are smuggling Nigerians through the country’s major international airports, allegedly with assistance from some immigration officers.
ARLPAN identified 14 trafficking networks operating in Iraq, with Nigerian-based agents facilitating the movement of victims through Abuja, Lagos, and Kano airports. These illicit activities reportedly occur with the help of corrupt immigration officers who accept bribes to allow undocumented travel.
The group’s Rapid Response Team has gathered substantial evidence exposing unethical recruitment practices in Iraq. These include labor exploitation, physical abuse, and inhumane working conditions faced by Nigerian migrant workers. ARLPAN named several Iraqi-based companies involved in the trafficking network, including Zho Alshrooq Co. Public Services and Recruitment, Green Trees Company, Sound of the Sea Company for Recruitment of Labour, Balad Alroya Company, and Baghdad Beacon Company. Others are Zuhoor Alsharq Company, Al Qethara Company, Rawaa Al Khabir Company for Recruitment of Manpower, Ayahdi Al-Raseenah Company, Bareeq Alnoor Company, Burj Alkhaleej Company, Sawt Al Bahr Recruitment Company, Karam Al-Muatasem Company, Al-Kabir Manpower Company, and Al-Sahel & Co.
ARLPAN expressed deep concern over the involvement of some domestic workers in the Gulf region, who now serve as middlemen in human trafficking. The organization stated that these individuals lure fellow Nigerians into Iraq, trapping them in debt bondage by forcing them to work for months without pay to settle recruitment fees.
Additionally, the association revealed that some Nigerian migrants who have secured supervisory roles in these recruitment offices collaborate with traffickers. These individuals reportedly detain fellow Nigerians in makeshift cells, subjecting them to physical abuse. Some also supply abortion pills to pregnant Nigerian workers upon arrival in Iraq, despite lacking medical qualifications.
ARLPAN stressed that failure to regulate international recruitment has emboldened illegal recruiters to operate without consequences. The group urged Nigerian authorities to enforce existing labor laws and ensure that only licensed agencies handle foreign employment placements. It also highlighted the importance of adhering to international labor conventions, particularly the ILO Convention 190, which guarantees decent work conditions for domestic workers.
The association called on law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute traffickers, emphasizing that human trafficking occurs daily through Nigeria’s major airports. It accused certain immigration officers of collecting unreceipted bribes—referred to as “boarding money”—to facilitate illegal departures via airlines such as Egypt Air, Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines.
An official from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), speaking anonymously, denied knowledge of officers’ involvement in human trafficking. The official insisted that the agency maintains a strict policy against such activities and pledged to investigate any personnel implicated in the report.
“We have zero tolerance for this kind of behavior,” the immigration officer stated. “Now that it has been brought to our attention, we will review our processes and close any loopholes. Officers are not allowed to participate in illegal activities, and if any are found guilty, they will face disciplinary action.”
ARLPAN remains committed to combating human trafficking and has urged the government to intensify efforts in monitoring international recruitment practices.
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