The police command in Oyo State says it rescued five Congolese nationals suspected to be victims of human trafficking during an intelligence-led operation at Bollarz Hotel in the Araromi area of Ibadan.

In a statement on Wednesday, the command’s spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the victims were rescued from the hotel.

He stated that, acting on credible intelligence, the state’s commissioner of police directed operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to take immediate action, resulting in the successful rescue of the five foreign nationals from the hotel.

The rescued victims were identified as Bonsaly Mpika Donel, 24; Charles Siloe, 23; Eliane Ruth Makengo, 26; Makota Janie Darcel, 23; and Simba Babeki Elie, 33.

He explained that all the victims were nationals of the Republic of Congo.

“During preliminary questioning, the victims disclosed that a man identified as Smith, a national of the Republic of Benin, had lured them into Nigeria on the promise of greener pasture and better economic opportunities,” he said.

Mr Olayinka said the suspect was not found at the hotel during the operation and that efforts were ongoing to locate and apprehend him.

He added that the victims received medical attention and underwent medical examinations.