677
By Lizzy Chirkpi
In a major breakthrough against human trafficking, the Ondo State Police Command has rescued at least fifteen young women allegedly lured into sex slavery under the pretense of job offers.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Olushola Ayanlade, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, revealing that three key members of the trafficking syndicate had been arrested.
“The Ondo State Police Command has dismantled a notorious sex trafficking syndicate exploiting young women under the guise of job recruitment and social media content creation,” Ayanlade said.
According to him, operatives from the command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit acted swiftly on credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of one Jayeola Joshua of Alagbaka, Akure, alongside two accomplices.
He added that efforts were ongoing to track down other members still at large.
“This arrest signals the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens,” the police spokesperson stated.
Preliminary investigations, Ayanlade disclosed, revealed that the victims aged between 20 and 26 were deceived with promises of lucrative jobs such as domestic work, ushering, and even overseas employment.
“Upon arrival in Akure, the 15 victims were lodged in an apartment in Alagbaka, which later became the operational base for the illicit trade,” he explained.
The statement further revealed that the syndicate coerced the victims into sending nude photos and videos, which were then shared with clients for sexual services.
“The principal suspect reportedly took the lion’s share of the proceeds while disguising the operation as producing ‘relationship content’ on social media to mislead the public,” the police added.
Investigators also discovered that the apartment used for the operation was rented specifically for the illegal activity. The State Commissioner of Police has directed that the landlords be questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
Human trafficking remains a deepening crisis in Nigeria. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), over 11,000 Nigerian women were trafficked across the Mediterranean Sea in 2016 alone, a staggering jump from 1,454 just two years earlier. A 2018 UNHCR report also noted that at least 18,000 Nigerian migrants arrived in Europe in 2017, many of whom were forced into sexual exploitation.
With this latest crackdown, the Ondo State Police Command says it is determined to intensify surveillance and intelligence operations to curb trafficking networks preying on young women desperate for opportunities.
“No crime against humanity goes unpunished,” Ayanlade said firmly. “We’ll continue to fight until every trafficker is brought to justice.”