Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Oyo State Command has arrested four suspected human traffickers and rescued nine persons used as prostitutes in the state.
Augustine Padonu, NSCDC Commandant in the state said that the command’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit arrested the suspects and rescued the victims on Tuesday at a hotel in Apata area of Ibadan for alleged trafficking and prostitution. The suspects include seven female adults and two female minors.
The commandant said that three of the suspects specialised in bringing underage girls from villages for prostitution while the fourth suspect was a male manager of the hotel who collaborated with the three female suspects to use trafficked underage girls as sex workers in the hotel.
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In a separate operation on July 30, 2024, the NSCDC’s Monitoring Team uncovered a fuel smuggling operation near Gwagwasu Moore Road, Kishi, in the nothern part of the state.
He said the team discovered 55 kegs, each containing 30 litres of petrol, hidden in the forest. While the suspects fled upon sighting the NSCDC team, efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.
“The Oyo State Command of NSCDC has made significant breakthrough in its fight against human trafficking and smuggling of petroleum products.
“This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from exploitation and abuse as well as safeguarding the nation’s economy from illegal activities”.
“We urge the public to assist by reporting any information regarding smuggling of petroleum products to NSCDC.
“NSCDC remains committed to protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from exploitation and abuse.
“We are resolute in our fight against smuggling of petroleum products across the border and will continue to take decisive actions to protect our commonwealth,” Padonu said.
One of the underaged human trafficking victims said she was pregnant and used to make N10, 000 daily out of which she would be given only N2,000 by one of the suspects who brought her from the village.
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