The Ondo State Police Command has rescued no fewer than 15 young women from a sex trafficking syndicate following a sting operation in Akure, the state capital.
The operation, carried out at an apartment in the Alagbaka area, led to the arrest of three suspects, including one Jayeola Joshua, who was identified as the prime suspect in the trafficking network.
According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, the victims, aged between 20 and 26, were being exploited under the guise of job recruitment and social media content creation. He explained that the suspects manipulated the victims into producing nude images and videos, which were then shared with clients soliciting sexual services.
Ayanlade further revealed that investigations showed the syndicate lured young women from different parts of the country with false promises of well-paying jobs, including domestic work, ushering services, and overseas employment.
“The principal suspect reportedly received the largest share of the proceeds, while the operation was disguised as producing relationship content on social media,” he said.
The police spokesperson added that evidence suggested the apartment was specifically rented to facilitate the illicit activities. “Evidence indicates that the apartment was specifically rented to facilitate these activities, prompting the Commissioner of Police to direct that the landlords be invited for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation,” Ayanlade stated.
He also urged parents and guardians to thoroughly verify job offers and recruitment agents before allowing their children or wards to travel, assuring that the command remains committed to dismantling criminal networks involved in human trafficking and sexual exploitation across the state.
