Ogun State police have successfully handed over eight rescued nationals to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for profiling and reunification with their families, following a daring raid in Owode-Egba.
The operation initially led to the arrest of two suspects, Stephen Kwame and Abubakar Sulaimon, who allegedly lured victims under the pretense of arranging travel to Europe. Nine nationals were rescued in total, including 40-year-old Ghanaian, Maclaud Owusu, who has since been reunited with his family.
According to Police Public Relations Officer Oluseyi Babaseyi, the suspects specialized in defrauding their victims by contacting relatives via mobile phones and demanding ransom payments, exploiting promises of greener pastures abroad.
“The remaining eight victims have been handed over to the NIS to facilitate their safe return to families,” Babaseyi said. “This decisive action underscores a resounding commitment to intelligence-led policing, seamless inter-agency synergy, and the unwavering resolve of the Command to protect victims, dismantle criminal networks, and ensure justice is decisively served.”
The police have emphasized that the operation demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-driven interventions and collaboration between law enforcement agencies in combating human trafficking and related crimes.
Authorities continue to appeal to the public to report suspicious activities and criminal networks, urging vigilance as the state strengthens efforts to safeguard vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
