Ondo Authorities Rescue 15 Girls, Arrest S*x Trafficking Syndicate

The Ondo State Police Command has rescued 15 young women from a sex trafficking syndicate operating under the guise of job recruitment and social media content creation in Akure.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command’s SWAT Unit arrested Jayeola Joshua of Alagbaka, Akure, along with two accomplices. The syndicate reportedly lured victims from across Nigeria with promises of domestic work, ushering services, and overseas employment. Upon arrival in Akure, the women, aged 20 to 26, were confined in an apartment used as the syndicate’s operational base.

Police sources said the victims were coerced into sending explicit images and videos to clients, disguised as “relationship content” on social media, thereby masking the criminal intent.

The Police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed that the rescued women 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 prosecution of all suspects and intensified efforts to arrest remaining accomplices,” Olayinka said.

Parents and guardians were urged to verify job offers before allowing their wards to travel, while the public was called upon to provide credible tips to help combat human trafficking in the state.