Akure: The Police Command in Ondo State 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 in Akure.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the operation was part of a sustained effort to curb human trafficking and other fraud-related crimes. On January 22, a Togolese national, Meale Yaoili, reported at the Yaba Police Station that he had escaped from a human trafficking syndicate operating within Nigeria. Yaoili stated that he was lured from the Republic of Togo to Nigeria under the pretext of securing employment in Canada. He was acquainted with Tchodia Potolaw Fidel, who is now at large, and was convinced by Fidel to travel to Nigeria due to the absence of a Canadian Embassy in Togo. Upon arrival, Yaoili’s personal belongings were seized, and he was held against his will after paying 800,000 CFA francs.
The police’s swift and coordinated action led to the arrest of six suspects connected to the case. The suspects were identified as Cleude Grao, Samuel Dsiwa, Michael Amissa, Olayiwola Kazeem, Akinnubi Adebayo, and Oluwole Vincent, the landlord of the premises where the illegal operation was conducted. During the operation, three victims were successfully rescued.
Similarly, the police uncovered a trans-national syndicate involved in trans-border criminal activities. The syndicate operated as a representative of a company engaged in online marketing of various products. On January 23, a case initially reported as suspected banditry was lodged by Chief Ojomu of Oba-Ile against Umaru Baba and eleven others. The case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for investigation. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were illegal immigrants from the Republic of Chad, residing illegally in Akure.
Further intelligence indicated that Umaru Baba is allegedly central to trans-border criminal activities, including recruitment, trafficking in persons, and modern-day slavery. Investigations further suggested that Baba operated as a representative of a company involved in online marketing, using this platform to lure, recruit, and harbour illegal migrants under the guise of engaging them as commission-based marketers.
The eleven individuals, along with one female, were identified as Chadian nationals illegally transported into Nigeria en route to the Cameroon border. They are currently in police custody and are being treated as victims of trafficking. The landlord of the property used for these activities is being traced for questioning due to alleged negligence.
The suspects have made statements explaining their roles in the offences, and the investigation is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects. Rescued victims will be handed over to their respective embassies for diplomatic action and repatriation. The state Commissioner of Police has warned landlords and property owners to conduct proper background checks on tenants to prevent their premises from being used for criminal activities, stating that negligence would attract legal consequences. The commissioner assured the public of the command’s commitment to combating human trafficking, trans-border crimes, and all forms of criminal activities, urging the public to provide credible information to aid policing efforts.