Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested 19 young Ghanaians, including 14 males and five females, in the Kajorepo area of Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the Command’s spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police Adewale Osifeso, the victims were allegedly lured into Nigeria with false promises of job opportunities and were subsequently exploited by unidentified traffickers for financial gain.
The arrest, which took place on July 2, followed credible intelligence received by the police about suspicious activities at a building in the area. Investigations into the incident are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the trafficking operation and apprehend those responsible.
Osifeso said, “The Oyo State Police Command proudly announces the successful completion of a targeted operation on July 2, 2025, based on credible intelligence related to suspicious activities at a building in the Kajorepo area of Akinyele Local Government Area (LGA).
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“Around 5:30 PM, the State Intelligence Department, with the invaluable support of tactical command teams, executed a search warrant at the site, which had been securely locked from the outside. This operation led to the arrest of nineteen (19) individuals, comprising fourteen men and five women, all young nationals from Ghana.
“During the investigation, it became clear that these individuals had been lured to Nigeria with false promises of job opportunities, falling prey to a manipulative scheme by unknown perpetrators who exploited them for financial gain.
“The victims provided critical information about their ordeals, significantly aiding the ongoing investigations.
“Following established protocols, the victims have since been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service, for further investigations and to possibly reunite them with loved ones back in their Country.”
He reiterated the commitment of the Command to “uncovering the identities of those responsible for this alarming situation, with ongoing efforts to gather intelligence and locate the individuals behind these heinous activities.
“The Command assures the community that tranquillity remains, reaffirming our commitment to safety and security for all residents. We urge the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities directly to the authorities.”