Police arrest two suspected cross-border trafficking syndicate in Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command says it has dismantled a suspected human trafficking syndicate following the rescue of a 21-year-old woman trafficked to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire for sexual exploitation.

The command’s public relations officer, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed in a statement on Monday that the victim was deceived with a promise of legitimate employment before being forced into prostitution abroad.

Jimoh stated that the case was reported on April 13, 2026, at the Okitipupa Division by one Akinwunmi Olubunmi, who raised the alarm over the disappearance of her daughter.

He stated that investigations revealed that on February 22, 2026, three suspects—identified as Akinlaja Blessings, Johnson Ahomari, and one Grace, who is currently at large—allegedly conspired to traffic the victim out of Nigeria under the guise of securing a job as a salesgirl in a supermarket.

The statement noted that the victim was instead subjected to prostitution and inhumane treatment, adding that she was allegedly forced into sexual activities and administered substances believed to aid her exploitation.

Jimoh said the victim managed to escape from the brothel on April 6, 2026, and fled through a bush path to a nearby town, where she contacted her family.

He noted that the victim was subsequently assisted back to Nigeria and arrived safely on April 11, 2026, after which she was taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

The statement read in part, “The victim disclosed that she was subjected to inhumane treatment and coerced into engaging in sexual activities.” She further revealed that substances were administered to her and other victims by their handlers, believed to be aimed at controlling and exploiting them.

“In a dramatic turn of events, the victim managed to escape from the brothel on April 6, 2026, navigating through the bush to a nearby town, where she contacted her family.

“Arrangements were immediately made for her return to Nigeria, and she arrived safely on April 11, 2026. Upon arrival, she was rushed to the State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa, for urgent medical attention due to the physical and psychological trauma she endured.”

Jimoh stated that operatives launched an intelligence-led operation that led to the arrest of two suspects, Akinlaja Blessings and Johnson Ahomari, who are currently in custody and assisting with investigations.

He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the third suspect, Grace, and dismantle the wider trafficking network linked to the crime.

Reacting, the state’s Commissioner of Police,  condemned the act, describing it as inhuman and a gross violation of human dignity, while assuring that all those involved would be brought to justice.

He also urged parents and guardians to verify opportunities offered to their children, particularly those involving travel abroad, and encouraged members of the public to provide timely information to security agencies.

The command reiterated its commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring perpetrators of human trafficking face the full weight of the law.

PUNCH Metro reported on April 1 that the Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency arrested a 42-year-old man, identified as Sunday Nomen, for alleged child trafficking.

The suspect, from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, was apprehended in Nkpor in the Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday.

While parading the suspect at the SASA headquarters in Onitsha, the spokesperson for the agency, Karen James, had said that the suspect belongs to a gang of an interstate child trafficking ring, specialising in trafficking and selling children from the ages of six months upwards to interested buyers.