POLICE RESCUE 15 SUSPECTED TRAFFICKING VICTIMS, ARREST ONE IN OSUN
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Osun State Police Command has rescued 15 youths suspected to be victims of a human trafficking syndicate and arrested one suspect in connection with the crime.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Osogbo, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the victims were rescued during an intelligence-led operation carried out by operatives of the State Intelligence Department.
According to the statement, the victims were found in a three-bedroom apartment at Adeleke Estate, Osogbo, where they had allegedly been camped by traffickers who are now on the run.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the youths were brought into Nigeria from Togo, the Benin Republic and Niger under the false promise of securing lucrative job opportunities and better living conditions.
“Acting on credible information, officers of the Command rescued the victims from traffickers who had allegedly deceived them with false promises of employment and better living opportunities outside their home countries,” the statement read in part.
The rescued individuals are currently under protective custody and receiving necessary care. The Command said it is collaborating with relevant authorities to facilitate their rehabilitation and eventual reunification with their families.
Ojelabi disclosed that while some suspects connected to the crime have absconded, the agent who rented out the apartment to the alleged traffickers has been arrested and is assisting police with ongoing investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating human trafficking and other forms of organised crime. He urged parents, guardians and property owners to remain vigilant and report suspicious recruitment schemes or unusual movements to security agencies.
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