Police Smash Sex-Trafficking Ring, Free 15 Girls in Ondo Raid

In a major breakthrough against human trafficking, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Ondo State have busted a notorious sex-trafficking syndicate and rescued fifteen (15) young girls held captive under inhumane conditions.

The successful operation, according to Police spokesperson DSP Olushola Ayanlade, followed a credible intelligence report from one of the victims who managed to escape from the den and alerted authorities. Acting swiftly, officers stormed the hideout in Akure, where the girls—aged between late teens and early twenties—were found and freed.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the traffickers lured their victims from different parts of the Country with fake promises of lucrative jobs, only to subject them to sexual exploitation. The rescued girls have since been taken into protective custody and are receiving medical attention and psychological support.

DSP Ayanlade confirmed that several suspects have been arrested, while others remain on the run. He added that the syndicate is believed to have links to a wider trafficking network that operates across state lines.

The Commissioner of Police, who commended the swift response of the officers, vowed that the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law. “The command will continue to intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks that prey on vulnerable young women,” he stated.

The Ondo State Government has also pledged to assist the victims with rehabilitation, counselling, and reintegration into society, while urging communities to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement Agencies.

This latest rescue highlights the growing menace of sex trafficking in Nigeria and the ongoing battle by security agencies to protect the rights and dignity of young women across the Country.