Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo state command, has arrested four suspected human traffickers and rescued nine persons used as prostitutes in the state.

The command also said it had recovered 55 smuggled 30-litre kegs of petrol around Gwagwasu Moore Road, Kishi, in the northern part of the state.

The NSCDC commandant in the state, Augustine Padonu, made this known while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters on Friday in Ibadan.

Mr Padonu said that the command’s anti-human trafficking and child protection Unit arrested the suspects and rescued the victims on Tuesday at a hotel in the Apata area of Ibadan for alleged trafficking for prostitution.

He said that the rescued victims were seven female adults and two female minors.

The commandant said that three of the suspects specialised in bringing underage girls from villages for prostitution.

He said that the fourth suspect was a male manager of the hotel who collaborated with the three female suspects to use trafficked underage girls as sex workers in the hotel.

“The Oyo State Command of the NSCDC has made significant breakthroughs in its fight against human trafficking and smuggling of petroleum products.

“This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from exploitation and abuse as well as safeguarding the nation’s economy from illegal activities,” he said.

Speaking on the recovered smuggled petrol, Mr Padonu said that the command’s monitoring team received credible intelligence regarding the smuggling of petrol on July 30 in Kishi town and acted swiftly.

He said that the command, during the operation, discovered 55 kegs of 30-litres of petrol hidden in the forest.

Mr Padonu said that the discovery highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by the smuggling of petroleum products through the border, thus undermining the economy and posing risks to public safety.

He said that the suspects who were involved in petrol smuggling fled upon sighting NSCDC operatives and were still at large.

“We are intensifying our efforts to locate and apprehend the suspects.

“We urge the public to assist by reporting any information regarding smuggling of petroleum products to NSCDC.

“NSCDC remains committed to protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from exploitation and abuse.

“We are resolute in our fight against the smuggling of petroleum products across the border and will continue to take decisive actions to protect our commonwealth,” Mr Padonu said.

Speaking with journalists, one of the underage trafficked victims said she was pregnant and used to make N10,000 daily, out of which she would be given only N2,000 by one of the suspects who brought her from the village

(NAN)