The Lagos State Police Command has busted a trans-border child trafficking syndicate responsible for recruiting and transporting young girls to Ghana for prostitution.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said in a statement on Friday that police detectives rescued 11 victims and arrested four suspects in the process.
According to him, operatives of the Ilemba Hausa Division first intercepted one of the suspects, identified as Mustapha Abubakar, on August 13, 2025, with a 15-year-old girl who was about to be trafficked.
He further disclosed that the case was transferred to the Special Squad I of the command, which launched a coordinated operation leading to the arrest of three other suspects.
The statement partly read, “On August 13, 2025, operatives of Ilemba Hausa Division intercepted and arrested one Mustapha Abubakar ‘m’, suspected to be an okada operator and recruiter, in possession of a 15-year-old female victim who was on the verge of being trafficked to Ghana for prostitution.
“The case was, thereafter, transferred to the Special Squad I of the Command, which, supported by actionable intelligence, launched a swift and coordinated manhunt that led to the arrest of Charles Chima ‘m’ aged 54, at Amuwo Odofin, Emmanuel Nwaka ‘m’ aged 3,6, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, and Princess John ‘f’ aged 21 at Ojota.”
Hundeyin stated that investigations revealed the suspects were part of a criminal network responsible for luring and transporting young women from Nigeria to Ghana for sex work.
He added that further investigations led to the rescue of an additional 10 victims, aged between 21 and 29.
“They are currently in protective custody, receiving care and support, while arrangements are being made to reunite them with their families. The suspects are in custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations,” Hundeyin revealed.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, commended the operatives for their swift response and reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for human trafficking.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police.
Credit: punchng.com
