In a decisive move against human trafficking, the Ondo State Police Command has dismantled a cross-border syndicate involving ten nationals of the Republic of Benin who were arrested in Akure, the state capital. The arrests followed a targeted operation on July 31, 2025, after intelligence reports revealed the presence of foreign nationals residing illegally along Oda Road. The suspects, who entered Nigeria without valid travel documents, were discovered living in various rented apartments within the area. While some of them held expired passports, others had no official identification or legal entry permits.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lawal Adebowale, while addressing journalists in Akure on Sunday, disclosed that the suspects had conspired to traffic a 29-year-old Congolese man, Nzaou Yelica Christ-Olse, into Nigeria under false pretenses. The victim was deceived with promises of assistance to establish an online business venture, only to be abandoned and left stranded upon his arrival in the country. The Commissioner described the operation as a coordinated criminal act that violated Nigeria’s immigration and anti-human trafficking laws, emphasizing the severity of the offence and the syndicate’s calculated methods.
Following their arrest, the suspects were handed over to relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), for in-depth investigation and potential prosecution. Meanwhile, authorities have confirmed that the victim is safe, currently under protective custody, and receiving appropriate support and rehabilitation from the relevant institutions.
Commissioner Adebowale used the opportunity to urge residents of Ondo State to remain vigilant and proactive in providing credible information that could aid security agencies in the fight against crime. He reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring public safety through lawful and ethical policing practices, calling for continued collaboration between law enforcement and the community in the collective effort to eradicate human trafficking and other criminal activities in the state.