Olushola Omogbehin
Ondo State Police Command has rescued 15 girls from a notorious sex trafficking syndicate exploiting women under the guise of job recruitment and social media content creation.
In the operation which took place in an apartment at Alagbaka area of Akure, the state capital, three suspects were arrested in connection with the trafficking ring and one Jayeola Joshua identified as the prime suspect.
This was disclosed by the command in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Olushola Ayanlade, said three suspects linked to the trafficking syndicate had been arrested.
According to the statement, “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.”
The victims were reportedly lured from across the country with promises of domestic work, ushering services and overseas employment but the girls, aged between 20 and 26 were confined in an apartment used as the operational base upon their arrival in Akure.
Ayanlade said, the victims were manipulated to sending nude images and videos, which were subsequently transmitted to clients procuring sexual services.
“The principal suspect reportedly received the largest share of the proceeds, while the operation was disguised as producing ‘relationship content’ on social media — misleading the public and concealing the criminal intent,” the statement added.
Police spokesperson Ayanlade said the girls were taken to the Police Hospital, Akure for medical care, counseling and psychological evaluation. The case has been transferred to the Command’s Gender Desk for further investigation and reintegration of the victims.
The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has ordered that all suspect be prosecuted and the arrest of the remaining accomplices.
he also admonished parents to verify job offers before allowing their children to travel.
International Organisation for Migration said about 11,000 Nigerian women were trafficked via the Mediterranean Sea in 2016 while about 1,454 was recorded in 2014
