The Ondo State Police Command has dismantled two suspected human trafficking operations and rescued 14 victims in a series of intelligence-driven actions across the state, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
The development was made public in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to curb human trafficking, trans-border crimes, and other fraud-related activities within Ondo State.
According to the police, the first breakthrough followed a report lodged on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Yaba Police Station by a Togolese national, Meale Yaoili. The victim informed officers that he had escaped from a human trafficking syndicate operating within Nigeria after being deceived and unlawfully detained.
Police investigations revealed that Yaoili was allegedly lured from the Republic of Togo to Nigeria under the false promise of securing employment in Canada. He reportedly told investigators that he had known one Tchodia Potolaw Fidel, now declared at large, since 2019. Fidel allegedly claimed to be based in Canada and convinced the victim that traveling through Nigeria was necessary because Canada did not have an embassy in Togo.
Upon arrival in Nigeria, the victim said his personal belongings were seized, and he was held against his will after paying a sum of 800,000 CFA francs. Acting on the report, police operatives launched a swift operation that led to the arrest of six suspects: Cleude Grao, Samuel Dsiwa, Michael Amissa, Olayiwola Kazeem, Akinubi Adebayo, and Oluwole Vincent, who was identified as the landlord of the premises where the illegal activities allegedly took place.
During the raid, three additional victims were rescued from the location, while investigations began to track down other members of the syndicate who reportedly fled before police arrival.
In a separate operation, the police uncovered another suspected trafficking network following a complaint initially reported as banditry on January 23, 2026. The report was filed by Chief Ojomu of Oba-Ile at the Oba-Ile Divisional Police Headquarters against Umaru Baba and 11 other individuals. Due to the complexity of the case, it was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a discreet and thorough investigation.
Preliminary findings revealed that the suspects were not bandits, as initially alleged, but illegal immigrants from the Republic of Chad residing in a duplex apartment around the OSOPADEC area of Akure. Further intelligence gathering identified Umaru Baba as the alleged coordinator of a trans-border criminal network involved in recruitment, human trafficking, modern-day slavery, and other related offences.
Police disclosed that the principal suspect allegedly posed as a representative of an online marketing company and used the platform to deceive and harbour eleven able-bodied men and one female. Investigators found that all twelve individuals were Chadian nationals who had been illegally transported into Nigeria, allegedly en route to the Cameroon border.
Authorities confirmed that the suspects involved in both cases are currently in police custody, while all foreign nationals found at the premises are being treated as victims of human trafficking. The police noted that accessing the second location was initially difficult, and the landlord of the property—identified as a female resident of Ibadan—is now being traced for questioning over alleged negligence.
DSP Jimoh stated that the arrested suspects have made useful statements detailing their roles in the crimes, adding that investigations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects and uncover the full extent of the trafficking networks.
The police further disclosed that the rescued victims would be handed over to their respective embassies to facilitate diplomatic engagement and eventual repatriation to their home countries.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, issued a strong warning to landlords and property owners to conduct proper background checks on prospective tenants and remain alert to suspicious activities on their premises. He stressed that negligence on the part of property owners would attract legal consequences.
Lawal also reassured residents of the command’s resolve to intensify the fight against human trafficking and trans-border crimes, urging members of the public to provide timely and credible information to support effective policing across the state.
Source: Africa Publicity
