The Police in Ondo State have arrested members of a notorious sex trafficking syndicate exploiting young women under the guise of job recruitment and social media content creation.
The state police spokesperson, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, revealed this in Akure on Sunday.
Ayanlade said one Jayeola Joshua and two others were arrested while 15 young ladies aged 20 to 26, accommodated in an apartment in Alagbaka, Akure for illicit activities, were rescued.
The spokesperson said efforts were on to apprehend the remaining suspects, adding that investigations revealed that the syndicate lured victims across the country with false promises of lucrative employment, including domestic work, ushering services, and overseas placements.
He said the syndicate’s arrangement not only facilitated exploitation but also highlighted how organised criminal elements prey on the vulnerability of unsuspecting young women seeking legitimate opportunities.
“Further inquiry uncovered that the victims were manipulated into sending nude images and videos, which were subsequently transmitted to clients procuring sexual services.
“The principal suspect reportedly received the largest share of the proceeds, while the operation was disguised as producing “relationship content” on social media, misleading the public and masking criminal intent
“Following the rescue, the 15 victims were taken to the Police Hospital, Akure, for medical care, psychological evaluation, and counseling,” he said.
Ayanlade explained that evidence indicated that the apartment was specifically rented to facilitate these activities, which prompted the Commissioner of Police (CP) to direct the landlords invitation for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.
He also said the CP directed that the case should be transferred to the command’s Gender Desk for further investigation, counseling, and reintegration of the victims into society.
According to the spokesperson, the CP ordered that all arrested suspects must be prosecuted
