The Police Command in Ondo State has arrested suspected human traffickers and rescued 14 victims in different operations across the state.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued in Akure on Saturday.
Jimoh said the arrests and rescues were part of sustained efforts by the command to curb human trafficking and other fraud-related crimes.
He explained that on Jan. 22, a Togolese national, Meale Yaoili (M), reported at the Yaba Police Station that he had escaped from the custody of a human trafficking syndicate operating within Nigeria.
According to him, Yaoili stated that he was lured from the Republic of Togo to Nigeria under the pretext of securing employment in Canada.
“Yaoili said he knew one Tchodia Potolaw Fidel, now at large, since 2019, who claimed to be residing in Canada.
“Fidel allegedly convinced him to travel to Nigeria, claiming that there was no Canadian Embassy in Togo.
“Upon his arrival, the victim’s personal belongings were forcefully seized, and he was held against his will after paying the sum of 800,000 CFA francs.
“Following swift and coordinated action by command’s operatives, six suspects were arrested in connection with the case.
“The suspects were identified as Cleude Grao, Samuel Dsiwa, Michael Amissa, Olayiwola Kazeem, Akinnubi Adebayo, and Oluwole Vincent, the landlord of the premises where the illegal operation was conducted.
“During the operation, three victims were successfully rescued,” he said.
The spokesperson also disclosed that a trans-national syndicate involved in cross-border criminal activities was uncovered by the command.
Jimoh said the syndicate operated under the guise of representing a company involved in online marketing of various products.
He explained that on Jan. 23, a case initially reported as suspected banditry was lodged by one Chief Ojomu of Oba-Ile at the Oba-Ile Divisional Headquarters against Umaru Baba, male, and eleven others.
According to him, the matter was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were not bandits as alleged, but illegal immigrants from the Republic of Chad, residing in a duplex apartment in Akure.
“Further intelligence uncovered that Umaru Baba is allegedly at the centre of trans-border criminal activities, including recruitment, trafficking in persons, modern-day slavery, and other related offences.
“Investigations further indicated that the principal suspect allegedly operates as a representative of a company involved in online marketing of various products,” he said.
Jimoh stated that through the platform, the suspect allegedly lured, recruited and harboured eleven able-bodied men and one female, all suspected to be illegal migrants, under the guise of engaging them as commission-based marketers.
“They were later identified as Husein Abdullahi (M), 26 yrs; Hassan Yaya (M), 23 yrs; Umaru Samida (M), 19 yrs; Umaru Buba (M), 24 yrs; Mohammed Almat (M), 24 yrs; and Saleh Abduraman (M), 23 yrs.
“Others are Musa Mohammed (M), 22 yrs; Mohammed Watala (M), 20 yrs; Ali Mohammad (M), 26 yrs; Hassan Hussein (M), 24 yrs and Yusuf Yakubu (M), 23 yrs,” he said.
The police spokesperson explained that all 11 persons were confirmed to be Chadian nationals who were illegally transported into Nigeria en route to the Cameroon border.
He said the suspects were currently in police custody, while the identified foreign nationals were being treated as victims of human trafficking.
“However, findings revealed that the landlord, a female resident of Ibadan, is being traced for questioning over alleged negligence in allowing her property to be used for criminal activities.
“The suspects in both cases have made useful statements explaining their respective roles in the offence.
“Investigation is ongoing with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects, the rescued victims will be handed over to their respective embassies for necessary diplomatic action and repatriation.
“The state Commissioner of Police has warned landlords and property owners to always conduct proper background checks on prospective tenants.
“They should also remain vigilant to prevent their premises from being used for criminal activities, saying negligence would attract legal consequences.
“The commissioner further assured members of the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to combating human trafficking, trans-border crimes and all forms of criminal activities.
“He also urged the public to continue providing credible and actionable information to aid policing efforts across the state,” Jimoh said.
