The Ondo State Police Command has announced the successful rescue of 40 Ghanaian nationals, including one David Angerinya, who were allegedly trafficked into Nigeria under deceptive promises.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Saturday in Akure by the command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Olushola Ayanlade.
According to Ayanlade, the victims were rescued by operatives of the Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS), Akure. The operation also led to the arrest of three suspects believed to be behind the human trafficking ring.
The rescue mission was initiated after a formal petition was submitted through the INTERPOL Liaison Office at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, urging swift police intervention in a cross-border trafficking case involving a Ghanaian citizen.
The spokesperson further explained that Angerinya had been lured into Nigeria in 2024 with a fraudulent promise of employment by an unidentified recruiter.
Acting promptly on the tip-off, TIRS officers, under the leadership of DSP Lekan Alabi, launched a focused investigation. This resulted in the arrest of three main suspects: Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex, and Kojo Felix, and the successful rescue of the victims.
Preliminary findings by the Ondo State Police Command have revealed that the three arrested suspects are linked to a broader transnational human trafficking network that targets vulnerable individuals from West African nations through deception and false promises.
According to police spokesperson DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the victims had been lured into Nigeria under the pretext of receiving high-paying jobs and visa assistance to countries such as Canada and other Western nations.
"An additional 39 Ghanaian nationals were identified as victims of the same criminal syndicate," Ayanlade stated, adding that many lacked valid travel documents, while others possessed only expired ones.
He confirmed that the suspects are currently in custody and cooperating with law enforcement officers as investigations continue.
In addition, the police are pursuing property owners and caretakers of the buildings used to accommodate the trafficked victims. Authorities believe these individuals may have been aware of, or complicit in, the illegal activities.
Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal reaffirmed the command's dedication to dismantling human trafficking rings and fighting all forms of cross-border organised crime. He also called on the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via emergency contact lines.
NAN
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