The Ondo State Police Command has rescued fifteen young women who were allegedly being sexually exploited by a suspected human trafficking ring in Akure, the state capital.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Olusola Ayanlade, the victims, aged between 20 and 26, were lured from various parts of the country with false promises of lucrative jobs, including domestic work, ushering, and overseas employment opportunities.
“These unsuspecting young women were deceived by traffickers who disguised themselves as social media content creators, claiming to produce relationship-related content,” Ayanlade said in a statement released on Friday.
He explained that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects manipulated the victims into sending nude photos and videos, which were later shared with clients for sexual exploitation.
“Evidence indicates that the apartment in Alagbaka, Akure South, was specifically rented to facilitate these illegal activities,” the police spokesperson added. “The Commissioner of Police has directed that the landlords be invited for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.”
Ayanlade confirmed that operatives of the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit arrested three suspects—Jayeola Joshua and two others—while efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional members of the syndicate.
Following their rescue, the 15 victims were taken to the Police Hospital in Akure for medical treatment, psychological evaluation, and counseling.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered that the case be transferred to the Command’s Gender Desk for further investigation and the victims’ reintegration into society,” Ayanlade stated. “He has also given a marching order that all arrested suspects must be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.”
The Ondo Police Command reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards human trafficking and sexual exploitation, pledging to intensify surveillance and crackdown operations across the state.
