Youths at risk as sextortion spreads in Nigeria

Sextortion has become one of the fastest-growing cybercrimes in Nigeria and there is an urgent need for security agencies and the judiciary to adopt coordinated measures if the country is to curb the scale of the problem before it becomes deeply entrenched.

Sextortion is a crime that occurs when an individual threatens to distribute nude photographs or private videos of another person unless the victim complies with demands for money or sexual favours. It is a form of sexual exploitation, as perpetrators rely on coercion, manipulation, and threats. However, in practice, sextortion is increasingly evolving beyond this narrow definition. It now intersects with broader systems of exploitation, including coercive sexual labour, trafficking, and organised digital blackmail networks where victims are repeatedly targeted and controlled.

In Nigeria, cases of sextortion have been on the rise and are increasingly common among former intimate partners who exploit previously shared content. Surprisingly, this represents only the surface of a deeper and more complex problem.

The crime has taken firm root within Nigeria’s cybercrime landscape, with significant implications for the younger generation. Many young people, facing unemployment, are drawn into sextortion networks as victims or perpetrators. Economically, sextortion contributes to Nigeria’s cybercrime losses, estimated at over $500 million annually. With youth unemployment at 53.4 percent and over 74 million young people affected, the crime worsens economic insecurity, luring vulnerable individuals into criminal networks while undermining legitimate digital enterprise.

In April 2025, a joint operation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Australian Federal Police, and Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission led to the arrest of 22 Nigerians linked to global sextortion schemes under “Operation Artemis.” Reports indicate that some of these cases were connected to victims abroad who committed suicide, underscoring the severe human cost. Globally, sextortion cases have risen sharply, with teenagers disproportionately affected, and Nigeria has emerged as one of the hotspots.

Digital platforms have revealed the organised nature of these activities, with enforcement removing over 63,000 accounts linked to sextortion schemes originating from Nigeria, many tied to coordinated operations. However, focusing only on online blackmail overlooks a broader dimension. Global cases such as that involving Jeffrey Epstein show how exploitation networks operate at scale, combining coercion, trafficking, and blackmail. Emerging patterns in Nigeria suggest similar integration of digital tools into wider systems of organised sexual exploitation.

There are increasing indications that some sextortion schemes in Nigeria are linked to underground systems where victims are coerced into producing explicit content, which is then used for repeated extortion or control. In more troubling instances, individuals, particularly young women, are reportedly drawn into exploitative arrangements where sexual activity is recorded and monetised, with the resulting material used as leverage for continued compliance. Some of these sexual acts also involve recorded performances of females with animals like dogs. These dynamics blur the line between sextortion, trafficking, and forced sexual labour.

High-profile incidents further underscore the reach of the problem. In October 2021, Nigerian artist Tiwa Savage publicly disclosed an attempt to blackmail her using intimate footage. Such cases illustrate that sextortion cuts across social boundaries and is not limited to any single demographic group. Similarly, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has previously dismantled a sextortion syndicate operating within the Federal Capital Territory, with a track record of targeting and exploitation young girls. These developments reinforce the view that sextortion in Nigeria is increasingly organised rather than incidental.

The persistence of these networks reflects deeper systemic conditions. Weak digital literacy, economic hardship, and social stigma create an environment in which victims are reluctant to report abuse, allowing perpetrators to operate with limited risk. At the same time, the profitability of sextortion, as part of broader exploitation chains, continues to attract new entrants.

Addressing this challenge requires more than reactive enforcement. Awareness campaigns targeting schools, universities, and online communities remain critical. Young people must understand the risks associated with sharing intimate content and the manipulative tactics used by perpetrators. Digital literacy programmes should be strengthened to equip users with the skills to navigate online spaces safely.

Equally important is the need to reduce stigma. Victims must be encouraged to report cases without fear of blame or social exclusion. Confidential reporting channels, coupled with psychological support systems, are essential in breaking the silence that enables these crimes to persist. Publicising convictions, within the bounds of privacy laws, can also serve as a deterrent.

Law enforcement agencies, including EFCC, NAPTIP, and the Nigerian Police must adopt a more integrated approach. Specialised cybercrime units, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained collaboration with international partners will be necessary to disrupt both local and transnational networks. The private sector also has a role to play. Social media platforms and telecommunications companies should strengthen safeguards against exploitation, while civil society organisations can provide support services and advocacy for victims.

Ultimately, sextortion is not only a cybercrime or a financial offence. It is part of a broader system of sexual exploitation that affects dignity, mental health, and social stability. Victims face psychological trauma and reputational harm, while perpetrators risk long-term criminal consequences. At a systemic level, the persistence of such crimes undermines trust in Nigeria’s digital economy and weakens its global standing.

If left unaddressed, sextortion in Nigeria risks evolving from a growing cybercrime into a deeply embedded network of exploitation. A coordinated or harmonised response combining legal action, social awareness, economic intervention, and institutional reform is required to confront the problem at its roots and prevent further escalation.