The Ondo State Police Command has rescued at least 15 young women allegedly lured into sex trafficking under the guise of job opportunities, following a major operation that led to the arrest of three suspects connected to a notorious trafficking ring.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olushola Ayanlade, confirmed that the syndicate was exploiting unsuspecting young women through false promises of lucrative employment and social media content creation. “The Ondo State Police Command has dismantled a notorious sex trafficking syndicate exploiting young women under the guise of job recruitment and social media content creation,” Ayanlade said.

According to the statement, operatives of the command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Jayeola Joshua of Alagbaka, Akure, alongside two accomplices. Efforts are underway to track and arrest other members of the criminal network.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims, aged between 20 and 26, were lured from different parts of the country with offers of domestic work, ushering jobs, and overseas placements. Upon arrival in Akure, they were housed in an apartment in Alagbaka, which served as the operational base for the illicit activities.

Further findings showed that the victims were manipulated into producing nude photos and videos that were later shared with clients procuring sexual services. The principal suspect allegedly received the largest share of proceeds, disguising the operation as “relationship content” on social media to conceal its criminal nature.

Ayanlade disclosed that evidence gathered indicated the apartment was rented specifically to facilitate the illegal trade. The state Commissioner of Police has directed that the landlords of the property be invited for questioning as part of ongoing investigations.

Human trafficking remains a major concern in Nigeria. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), about 11,000 Nigerian women were trafficked via the Mediterranean Sea in 2016, compared to just 1,454 in 2014—many forced into sex work. A UNHCR report in 2018 estimated that over 18,000 Nigerian migrants arrived in Europe through the same route in 2017, while a 2019 UNDP study found that Nigerians made up 17 per cent of all African migrants to Europe.

The Ondo State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling such syndicates and safeguarding vulnerable citizens from exploitation.