The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a major sex trafficking syndicate that lured young women with fake job offers and social media content creation schemes, rescuing fifteen victims in a dramatic operation in Akure.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, said in a statement on Sunday that operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit stormed an apartment in the Alagbaka area of the state capital, arresting the suspected ringleader, Jayeola Joshua, alongside two accomplices. The victims, aged between 20 and 26, were reportedly tricked into the illicit network under the guise of employment opportunities and digital media projects.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the traffickers operated under a sophisticated front, posing as recruiters for jobs such as ushering, domestic work, and overseas placements. Once recruited, the victims were coerced into sending explicit images and videos, which the syndicate circulated to clients in exchange for money. Police said the operation was disguised as “relationship content creation” on social media platforms, with the chief suspect taking the largest share of the profits.
Following the rescue, the victims were taken to the Police Hospital in Akure for medical evaluation, psychological care, and counseling. Evidence gathered during the raid indicated that the apartment had been leased solely for the trafficking operation. The Commissioner of Police has ordered that the landlords of the property be questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
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The case has been transferred to the Gender Desk Unit for deeper investigation, prosecution of the suspects, and rehabilitation of the victims.
Reaffirming the command’s zero-tolerance stance on human trafficking and sexual exploitation, the Commissioner warned that all individuals involved would face the full weight of the law.
He also cautioned parents and guardians to verify employment offers and online recruitment schemes before allowing their children to participate, stressing that vigilance and community cooperation remain vital in safeguarding public safety.
The police further appealed to residents to report suspicious activities promptly, assuring that the command would continue to dismantle criminal networks threatening the safety and dignity of citizens in Ondo State.
