The police command in Ondo State says it has successfully arrested suspected human traffickers and rescued 14 victims in the state.

DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Akure on Saturday.

Mr Jimoh said the success of the operation was in a sustained effort to curb human trafficking and other fraud-related crimes.

He explained that on January 22, a Togolese national, Meale Yaoili (M), reported at the Yaba Police Station that he had escaped from the custody of a human trafficking syndicate operating within Nigeria.

According to the Mr Jimoh, Mr Yaoili said he was lured from the Republic of Togo to Nigeria under the pretext of securing employment in Canada.

“Yaoili said he knew one Tchodia Potolaw Fidel, now at large, since 2019, who claimed to be residing in Canada.

“Fidel allegedly convinced him to travel to Nigeria, claiming that there was no Canadian Embassy in Togo.

 “Upon his arrival, the victim’s personal belongings were forcefully seized, and he was held against his will after paying the sum of 800,000 CFA francs.

“Following swift and coordinated action by command’s operatives, six suspects were arrested in connection with the case.

“The suspects were identified as Cleude Grao, Samuel Dsiwa, Michael Amissa, Olayiwola Kazeem, Akinubi Adebayo, and Oluwole Vincent, the landlord of the premises where the illegal operation was conducted.

“During the operation, three victims were successfully rescued,” he said.

Similarly, the spokesperson also said a trans-national syndicate engaging in trans-border criminal activities was uncovered.

Mr Jimoh said the syndicate operated as a representative of a company involved in online marketing of various products.

He explained that on January  23, a case initially reported as suspected banditry, was lodged by one Chief Ojomu of Oba-Ile at the Oba-Ile Divisional Headquarters against Umaru Baba, male, and eleven others.

According to him, the case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were not bandits as alleged, but illegal immigrants from the Republic of Chad, residing in a duplex apartment in Akure.

“Further intelligence uncovered that Umaru Baba is allegedly at the centre of trans-border criminal activities, including recruitment, trafficking in persons, modern-day slavery, and other related offences.

“Investigations further indicated that the principal suspect allegedly operates as a representative of a company involved in online marketing of various products.

“Through this platform, the suspect is alleged to have lured, recruited, and harboured eleven able-bodied men and one female, all suspected to be illegal migrants, under the guise of engaging them as commission-based marketers.

 “They were later identified as Husein Abdullahi (M), 26 yrs; Hassan Yaya (M), 23 yrs; Umaru Samida (M), 19 yrs; Umaru Buba (M), 24 yrs; Mohammed Almat (M), 24 yrs; and Saleh Abduraman (M), 23 yrs.

“Others are Musa Mohammed (M), 22 yrs; Mohammed Watala (M), 20 yrs; Ali Mohammad (M), 26 yrs; Hassan Hussein (M), 24 yrs and Yusuf Yakubu (M), 23 yrs,” he said.

Mr Jimoh explained that all eleven persons were discovered to be Chadian nationals illegally transported into Nigeria en route the Cameroon border.

He said that the suspects were currently in police custody, while the identified foreign nationals were being treated as victims of trafficking.

“However, findings revealed that the landlord, a female resident of Ibadan, is being traced for questioning over alleged negligence in allowing her property to be used for criminal activities.

“The suspects in both cases have made useful statements explaining their respective roles in the offence.

 “Investigation is ongoing with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects, the rescued victims will be handed over to their respective embassies for necessary diplomatic action and repatriation.

“The state Commissioner of Police has warned landlords and property owners to always conduct proper background checks on prospective tenants.

“They should also remain vigilant to prevent their premises from being used for criminal activities, saying  negligence would attract legal consequences.

“The commissioner further assured members of the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to combating human trafficking, trans-border crimes and all forms of criminal activities.

“He also urged the public to continue providing credible and actionable information to aid policing efforts across the state,” the spokesperson said. 

(NAN)