Fifteen Girls On Se$x Row Rescued As Ondo Police Command Dismantles Syndicate

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State Police Command has dismantled a notorious se*x trafficking syndicate exploiting young women under the guise of job recruitment and social media content creation.

During the operation, which took place at Alabama, Akure, 15 young girls were rescued.

State command spokesman, Olusola Ayanlade, in a statement on Sunday, explained that “Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit arrested Jayeola Joshua, male, of Alagbaka, Akure, along with two others, while efforts continue to apprehend the remaining accomplices.

“Investigations revealed that the syndicate lured victims from across the country with false promises of lucrative employment, including domestic work, ushering services, and overseas placements.

“Upon arrival in Akure, 15 victims, aged 20 to 26, were accommodated in an apartment in Alagbaka, which became the operational base for the illicit activities.

“The arrangement not only facilitated exploitation, but also highlighted how organized criminal elements prey on the vulnerability of unsuspecting young women seeking legitimate opportunities.

“Further inquiry uncovered that the victims were manipulated into sending nude images and videos, which were subsequently transmitted to clients procuring sexual services.

“The principal suspect reportedly received the largest share of the proceeds, while the operation was disguised as producing “relationship content” on social media, misleading the public and masking criminal intent.

“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.

“Following the rescue, the 15 victims were taken to the Police Hospital, Akure, for medical care, psychological evaluation, and counseling.

“In line with a victim-centered approach, the Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the Command’s Gender Desk for further investigation, counseling, and reintegration of the victims into society.

“He also issued a marching order that all arrested suspects must be prosecuted and intensified efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accomplices, demonstrating the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on human trafficking and sexual exploitation.”