The Oyo State Police Command has successfully freed 19 Ghanaian nationals who were victims of suspected human trafficking in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The command’s spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, stated in a release on Sunday, July 6, that the victims, comprising 14 men and 5 women, were all young Ghanaians deceived into coming to Nigeria with false promises of employment opportunities.
He explained that the victims were ensnared by a cunning scheme masterminded by unidentified individuals who exploited them for monetary profit.
“The investigation was initiated based on credible intelligence concerning suspicious activities at a building in the Kajorepo area of Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan,” Osifeso said.
He noted that the State Criminal Intelligence Department (CID), with crucial assistance from tactical command teams, carried out a search warrant at the location, which had been tightly secured from the outside.
“This operation led to the rescue of 19 individuals, all young Ghanaian nationals,” he added.
Following standard procedures, he stated that the victims have been transferred to the Nigerian Immigration Service for further investigation and potential repatriation to their families in Ghana.
Osifeso reaffirmed that the Oyo State Police Command remains dedicated to exposing and prosecuting those responsible for what he described as an alarming and exploitative situation.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
