Police arrest suspected human traffickers, recover victims in Akure

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested three suspected human traffickers and rescued several victims in Akure following intelligence-led operations aimed at curbing trans-border crimes in the state.

The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday evening by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who said the operation was carried out under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal.

Police investigations revealed that a Togolese national, identified as John Apiah, allegedly conspired with two young women to defraud victims by promising to secure international passports and United States visas.

The suspects were said to have collected large sums of money in CFA francs from multiple victims before lodging them in a hotel and later moving them to a rented apartment in Oda Town, Akure, under suspicious conditions.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the command raided the apartment, rescued the victims, and arrested the suspects without incident.

CP Lawal warned landlords and property owners to properly screen tenants, stressing that allowing properties to be used for criminal activities would attract severe legal consequences.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling human trafficking and other organised crimes and urged residents to continue providing useful information to help keep Ondo State safe.