The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled a sex trafficking syndicate operating under the guise of job recruitment and social media content creation in Akure, the state capital.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ayanlade Olushola, the operation followed weeks of surveillance after reports surfaced that unsuspecting young women were being lured to Akure with fake promises of employment opportunities.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit stormed an apartment in the Alagbaka area of Akure and arrested one Jayeola Joshua and two other accomplices, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
“Investigations revealed that the syndicate recruited victims from across the country with false offers of jobs such as domestic work, ushering services, and overseas placements.
“Upon arrival in Akure, 15 young women aged between 20 and 26 were reportedly lodged in a rented apartment in Alagbaka, which served as the base of operations for the illicit business”, the state read.
According to the PPRO, further investigations showed that the victims were manipulated into sending nude images and videos, which were later transmitted to clients procuring sexual services, stressing that the suspects allegedly posed as content creators producing “relationship skits” for social media to conceal their criminal activity.
The PPRO added that the principal suspect, Jayeola Joshua, received the largest share of the proceeds while deceiving the victims into believing they were working in a legitimate business.
“The police also discovered that the apartment was rented specifically to facilitate the illegal trade. The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has directed that the landlords of the property be invited for questioning to determine their level of complicity in the matter.
“Meanwhile, all rescued victims have been taken to the Police Hospital in Akure for medical attention, psychological evaluation, and counseling. The case has also been transferred to the Command’s Gender Desk Unit for further investigation and rehabilitation of the victims. The Police Commissioner ordered that all arrested suspects face prosecution, while efforts continue to track down the remaining members of the gang.
Reaffirming the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on human trafficking and sexual exploitation, the police command urged parents and guardians to be cautious about job offers for their wards and to verify the authenticity of recruitment agents before allowing their children to travel.
He also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies, stressing that community partnership remains crucial in the ongoing fight against crime in the state.
Fidelis David
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