The Oyo State Police Command has rescued 19 young Ghanaian nationals from an alleged trafficking operation following a targeted intervention in Ibadan.
In a statement released on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed that the victims comprised 14 men and five women who had been deceived into entering Nigeria under false pretences.
He explained that the individuals were lured with fake job offers and later exploited by unidentified traffickers for financial gain.
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“The investigation is based on credible intelligence related to suspicious activities at a building in the Kajorepo area of Akinyele Local Government Area in Ibadan, Oyo State,” Osifeso said.
He noted that operatives from the State Criminal Intelligence Department (CID), with support from tactical command teams, executed a search warrant at the location, which had been securely locked from the outside.
“This operation led to the arrest of nineteen (19) individuals, comprising 14 men and five women, all young nationals from Ghana,” he stated.
According to Osifeso, the victims provided important information about their experiences, which is now assisting the investigation.
“Following established protocols, the victims have since been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigations and to possibly reunite them with loved ones back in their country,” he added.
Osifeso also assured the public that efforts are ongoing to uncover those behind the trafficking network.
“The Oyo State Police Command remains dedicated to uncovering the identities of those responsible for this alarming situation,” he said.
He further encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
