THE Ondo State Police Command has dismantled a major sex trafficking syndicate and rescued fifteen young women who were allegedly deceived into sexual exploitation under the pretense of job offers.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Olushola Ayanlade, confirmed that three suspects connected to the criminal network had been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend others still at large.
Ayanlade explained that operatives from the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit carried out the arrests after receiving credible intelligence on the group’s operations.
According to him, the syndicate lured women from different parts of Nigeria with fake promises of employment in domestic service, ushering, and overseas jobs.
Upon their arrival in Akure, the victims—aged between 20 and 26—were housed in an apartment in Alagbaka, which served as the operation’s base. The police disclosed that the traffickers forced the women to send nude photos and videos, which were shared with clients seeking sexual services.
“The principal suspect reportedly received the largest share of the proceeds, while the operation was disguised as creating ‘relationship content’ on social media to mislead the public and hide its criminal intent,” Ayanlade stated.
The police added that the apartment used for the operation was specifically rented for this purpose, and that the landlords had been invited for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.
Ayanlade noted that the rescue highlights how criminal syndicates exploit the desperation of young women searching for legitimate opportunities. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling human trafficking networks and ensuring justice for victims.
Human trafficking continues to pose a serious challenge in Nigeria. The International Organization for Migration reported that about 11,000 Nigerian women were trafficked through the Mediterranean in 2016—up from 1,454 in 2014—most of whom were coerced into sex work.
By 2019, the United Nations estimated that Nigerians accounted for 17 percent of all African migrants who arrived in Europe through irregular routes.