Police arrest suspected human traffickers, rescue 14 victims in Ondo

Men of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested suspected human traffickers, rescued 14 victims and uncovered a transnational trafficking syndicate operating within the state.

The state Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abayomi Jimoh, who disclosed this to newsmen in Akure, said the breakthrough followed a report made by a Togolese national, Meale Yaoili, who escaped from a human trafficking syndicate and reported at the Yaba Police Station.

According to him, Yaoili told police he was lured from the Republic of Togo to Nigeria with the promise of securing employment in Canada.

Jimoh explained that the victim revealed that one Tchodia Potolaw Fidel, now at large, whom he had known since 2019, claimed to be based in Canada and convinced him to travel to Nigeria, alleging that there was no Canadian Embassy in Togo.

He said, “Upon arrival, Yaoili was allegedly dispossessed of his belongings, detained against his will and made to pay 800,000 CFA francs. Following swift police action, six suspects were arrested in connection with the case.”

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The PPRO listed the suspects to include Cleude Grao, Samuel Dsiwa, Michael Amissa, Olayiwola Kazeem, Akinubi Adebayo and Oluwole Vincent, the landlord of the premises where the operation was carried out.

He stated that three additional victims were rescued during the operation.

In a related development, the Command said another case, initially reported as suspected banditry on January 23, 2026, by Chief Ojomu of Oba-Ile, was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

The suspect, Umaru Baba, and eleven others were found not to be bandits but illegal immigrants from the Republic of Chad.

He said investigations revealed that the suspects were residing in a duplex apartment around the OSOPADEC area of Akure and were allegedly involved in trans-border crimes, including human trafficking, recruitment and modern-day slavery.

The Police image maker said Umaru Baba allegedly operated as a representative of a company engaged in online marketing, using the platform to lure and harbour eleven men and one female under the guise of commission-based marketing jobs.

The eleven men, aged between 19 and 26, were identified as Chadian nationals illegally transported into Nigeria en route to the Cameroon border and are being treated as victims of trafficking, while the suspects remain in police custody.

The Command said efforts to access the premises used by the syndicate were initially unsuccessful, but the female landlord, said to be resident in Ibadan, is being traced for questioning over alleged negligence in allowing her property to be used for criminal activities.

Police added that suspects in both cases have made useful statements, while investigations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects, and said the rescued victims will be handed over to their respective embassies for diplomatic action and repatriation.

The state Commissioner of police, Adebowale Lawal, warned landlords and property owners to conduct proper background checks on tenants, stressing that negligence would attract legal consequences.