NSCDC rescues 37 Ghanaians from suspected human traffickers in Ado-Ekiti
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ekiti State Command, has rescued thirty-seven Ghanaian nationals from a suspected cross-border human trafficking syndicate operating in Ado-Ekiti.
The State Commandant, Mr Toma Matthew Enya, disclosed on Friday that the victims, made up of 13 females and 24 males, were allegedly lured into Nigeria with false assurances of securing jobs abroad.
Enya stated that the victims were freed during a coordinated raid carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, February 10, 2026, following three weeks of surveillance based on credible intelligence.
He further revealed that the operation was executed in parts of the Onala and Aafo road areas of Ado-Ekiti, where the victims were reportedly harbored by members of the syndicate.
Preliminary investigations revealed that many of the victims allegedly paid between $1,000 and $2,000 to agents who promised to process travel documents and visas to Australia and other foreign destinations. Upon arrival in Nigeria, the victims were allegedly kept in isolation and pressured to recruit other unsuspecting individuals from Ghana, with promises of commission for each new recruit. The network was believed to have links in Lagos, Oyo and Ondo states.
One of the victims, 18-year-old Chris Santos, said he was deceived with claims of employment opportunities in Australia, while another victim, Gyabaah Isaac, 30, who identified himself as a group leader, claimed they were connected to an online wellness marketing outlet based in Malaysia.
Enya reiterated the corps’ zero-tolerance stance against criminality and urged residents to provide useful information to security agencies.
Western Post confirmed that the victims have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for further profiling and investigation, while efforts continue to arrest other suspects at large.
