Four Human Trafficking Suspects Apprehended in Oyo

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Oyo State has achieved a significant breakthrough in its fight against human trafficking and smuggling of petroleum products. The command has apprehended four suspected human traffickers and rescued nine individuals, including seven female adults and two female minors, who were being exploited as prostitutes. The suspects were arrested at a hotel in Ibadan, where they were using trafficked underage girls as sex workers.

In addition to the human trafficking arrests, the command has also recovered 55 30-litre kegs of smuggled petrol around Gwagwasu Moore Road, Kishi, in the northern part of the state. The smuggled petrol was discovered hidden in a forest, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by petroleum product smuggling through the border.

The NSCDC Commandant in Oyo State, Augustine Padonu, praised the command’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit for their efforts in rescuing the victims and apprehending the suspects. He emphasized the command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from exploitation and abuse, as well as safeguarding the nation’s economy from illegal activities.

The command is urging the public to assist in reporting any information regarding the smuggling of petroleum products to NSCDC, as they continue to intensify their efforts to locate and apprehend the suspects involved in petrol smuggling.

The rescued victims, including a pregnant underage girl, recounted their ordeal in the hands of the traffickers. The girl, who was lured from her village with promises of a better life, was forced into prostitution and made to hand over her earnings to her trafficker.

“We were treated like animals, forced to sleep with multiple men every night, and beaten if we didn’t meet our targets,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

The NSCDC Commandant, Augustine Padonu, assured the victims that they would receive necessary support and protection to rebuild their lives. He also warned that the command would not tolerate any form of human trafficking or exploitation in the state.

The arrest of the suspected human traffickers and the recovery of smuggled petrol is a significant milestone in the NSCDC’s efforts to combat illegal activities in Oyo State. The command has vowed to continue its relentless pursuit of criminals and to protect the citizens of the state from harm.

In a related development, the NSCDC has launched a public awareness campaign to educate citizens on the dangers of human trafficking and the importance of reporting suspicious activities to the authorities. The campaign, which includes social media outreach and community engagement, aims to prevent further cases of human trafficking and to support victims of exploitation.