The Lagos State Police Command has rescued 27 foreigners allegedly held captive in an apartment in the Isheri Oshun area of Lagos.
Lagos Police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed at a press briefing on Monday that the rescue operation followed a distress call received by the Complaint Response Unit.
According to Hundeyin, one of the victims had reached out, reporting that she and several others were confined against their will and prevented from leaving the apartment.
Responding swiftly, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area led a team to the location, where officers gained entry into the apartment and discovered 27 individuals, 18 men and nine women who were unlawfully detained.
“Somebody reached out to the Complaint Response Unit of the Lagos Police Command and complained that she had been kidnapped in an apartment and not allowed to leave. The CRU contacted the Divisional Police Officer covering the area, and officers raced to the scene. Upon breaking into the apartment, a total of 27 foreigners were found,”Hundeyin stated.
The rescued victims, who are nationals of Ghana and the Republic of Benin, were reportedly deceived into coming to Nigeria with promises of employment.
Authorities are now investigating whether Lagos was their intended final destination or if they were being trafficked elsewhere.
“We are currently investigating whether Lagos was their final destination or if they were being trafficked to another country. However, they are now safe and in our custody,” Hundeyin added.
Meanwhile, in another development, the police have arrested a couple for abducting an online vendor who had gone to deliver a product in the Iyana Ishashi area of Lagos.
According to the police, the victim had received a request for a product and proceeded to the customer’s house on Sunday. Upon arrival, she was forcibly dragged inside by a man and a woman, later identified as Emmanuel and Mazioma Okafor.
Once inside, the suspects allegedly stripped the vendor naked and physically assaulted her. They then took explicit photos and demanded a ransom of N2 million, threatening to leak the images if she failed to comply.
“She managed to pay N300,000 that day, which allowed her to regain her freedom. However, she was warned that if she did not pay the balance, her pictures would be released. The victim subsequently reported the incident to the police, leading to an immediate investigation. This led to the arrest of the suspects,” Hundeyin stated.
Both cases remain under investigation as the police continue efforts to ensure justice is served.
