The Commander of the Ebonyi State Neighbourhood Watch, Prince Victor Nwenyi, has revealed that the security outfit intercepted over 52 teenagers, mostly boys, being transported out of the state under the guise of working for a food supplement company.

In a chat with journalists in Abakaliki, the commander also raised alarm over growing cases of teenage trafficking, internet fraud, and misleading job schemes targeting unsuspecting youths across the state.

He noted that investigations revealed that none of the teenagers’ parents were aware of their whereabouts, nor could the handlers provide a valid office address or operational license. He further noted that our society is doomed if these ugly incidents are not nipped in the bud.

“What we discovered was disturbing. These young boys and girls were being lured with false promises of becoming millionaires overnight. In reality, they were being trafficked to unknown locations,” he said.

He described the operation as a disguised human trafficking network, noting that such victims often end up in forced labour, sex work, or other forms of exploitation, stressing that his command has put up measures to track down those involved in these acts.

Nwenyi urged the public not to patronise individuals selling drugs or food supplements without verified addresses, emphasising that legitimate businesses should have shops where complaints and customer concerns can be addressed.

He commended Governor Francis Nwifuru’s commitment to youth empowerment through scholarships, agricultural programs, and overseas training, urging young people to take advantage of these initiatives rather than pursuing illegal shortcuts to wealth.

Recalling another case, he narrated how a seven-year-old boy who had gone missing was rescued and later reunited with his family after a lengthy search.

He said, “We went through weeks of effort, visiting media houses and sharing photos. Eventually, his family showed up. That’s why I keep saying: parents must not abandon their roles.”

Nwenyi warned parents, especially those with teenage daughters, to be wary of individuals who promise to take their children abroad for “business opportunities,” noting that many of these are traps for sex trafficking.

Beyond trafficking, the commander condemned the misuse of social media by some Ebonyi youths, especially those using online platforms to defame government officials and discourage investment in the state.

“It is painful that some of our youths use their phones to destroy the same state that is working to empower them. This attitude is chasing investors away,” he lamented.

He further decried the rise of so-called “content creators” who promote nudity and indecent behaviour online, describing such acts as “glorified prostitution” and warning parents to monitor their children’s activities on social media.

“A lot of youths parade themselves as content creators, but what they do online is shameful. Parents must rise to their responsibilities and supervise their children’s online lives,” he said.

On internet fraud (Yahoo Yahoo), Nwenyi described it as a failed and outdated scam, labelling it a form of “modern-day ritualism” that yields nothing but hardship and wasted futures. (The Guardian)