Police in Ondo State have uncovered and dismantled a sex trafficking syndicate that lured unsuspecting young women with fake job offers and social media content creation schemes. The operation, carried out by the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, led to the rescue of 15 victims and the arrest of three suspects, officials confirmed.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the state police spokesperson Ayanlade Olushola, the operation followed weeks of surveillance after intelligence reports revealed that young women were being tricked into traveling to Akure, the state capital, with promises of employment.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives stormed an apartment in the Alagbaka area of Akure and arrested Jayeola Joshua and two other accomplices,” Olushola said, adding that efforts are ongoing to capture the remaining members of the gang.
Preliminary investigations showed that the syndicate recruited victims from across Nigeria with promises of jobs such as domestic work, ushering services, and overseas employment. Once the victims arrived in Akure, they were kept in a rented apartment that served as the base of operations.
Olushola said the victims, aged between 20 and 26, were coerced into sending nude photos and videos under the pretense of creating relationship skits for social media. These materials were then shared with paying clients. “The suspects posed as content creators to disguise their illicit activities,” he explained.
The police also discovered that the apartment had been rented specifically for the illegal trade. The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has ordered the landlords of the property to be questioned to determine their involvement.
All rescued victims have been taken to the Police Hospital in Akure for medical care, psychological evaluation, and counselling, Olushola confirmed. The case has been handed over to the Gender Desk Unit for further investigation and rehabilitation of the victims.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that all arrested suspects face prosecution while the hunt continues for other members of the gang,” the statement read.
Olushola also urged parents and guardians to verify the authenticity of job offers before allowing their children to travel, and called on the public to report suspicious activities to the police. He emphasized that community vigilance and cooperation remain critical in combating human trafficking and related crimes.