The Ondo State Police Command has rescued at least 15 young women allegedly lured into sex trafficking under the guise of lucrative job offers and social media content creation.
In a statement released on Sunday, spokesperson Olushola Ayanlade confirmed that three suspects linked to the syndicate have been arrested, while efforts continue to track down other accomplices.
According to the police, operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit acted on credible intelligence to arrest Jayeola Joshua of Alagbaka, Akure, along with two others. “This operation underscores the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens,” Ayanlade stated.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the traffickers lured victims from different parts of Nigeria with fake promises of employment opportunities—ranging from domestic work and ushering services to overseas placements. Upon arrival in Akure, the victims—aged between 20 and 26—were housed in an apartment in Alagbaka, which served as the base for the illicit operation.
The syndicate reportedly coerced the victims into sending nude photos and videos, later distributed to clients seeking sexual services. The main suspect allegedly pocketed the largest share of the proceeds while disguising the criminal operation as social media “relationship content.”
Police investigations further uncovered that the apartment used for the exploitation was rented specifically to facilitate the trafficking network. The Command has summoned the landlords for questioning as part of ongoing inquiries.
Human trafficking remains a growing menace in Nigeria. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported that about 11,000 Nigerian women were trafficked across the Mediterranean Sea in 2016—up from 1,454 in 2014—with most forced into sex work. Similarly, a 2018 UNHCR report noted that roughly 18,000 Nigerian migrants arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean in 2017. By 2019, the UNDP estimated that Nigerians made up 17% of all African migrants reaching Europe.
This latest rescue underscores the urgent need for stronger awareness campaigns, better regulation of online recruitment, and stricter penalties for traffickers exploiting young women’s hopes for a better life.
