The Oyo State Police Command, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has dismantled a major human trafficking syndicate, rescuing 84 victims in a coordinated operation on April 24, 2025.
The raid targeted a trafficking hub in Ibadan, where suspects were allegedly exploiting vulnerable individuals, primarily women and children, for forced labor and sexual exploitation. The operation, described as one of the largest of its kind in the state, followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to the Oyo State Police Commissioner, Adebola Hamzat, the syndicate lured victims with false promises of employment and education opportunities abroad, only to subject them to inhumane conditions. The rescued victims, aged between 14 and 35, included 52 females and 32 males, many of whom were found in deplorable conditions.
NAPTIP has taken custody of the victims, providing medical care, counseling, and rehabilitation services. Twelve suspects, including the alleged ringleader, have been arrested and are facing charges under Nigeria’s Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act. The police have vowed to pursue other members of the network still at large. The operation has been hailed as a significant step in combating human trafficking in Nigeria, with calls for increased public awareness and stronger border controls to prevent future incidents.