The Lagos State Police Command has rescued 11 victims of human trafficking and arrested four suspects allegedly involved in recruiting and transporting young Nigerians to Ghana for prostitution.
According to the command, operatives of the Ilemba Hausa Division intercepted and arrested a suspect, Mustapha Abubakar, on August 13, 2025. Abubakar, believed to be an okada operator and recruiter, was found with a 15-year-old girl who was about to be trafficked to Ghana for prostitution.
The case was transferred to Special Squad I, which, acting on intelligence, launched a manhunt that led to the arrest of 54-year-old Charles Chima in Amuwo Odofin, 36-year-old Emmanuel Nwaka along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, and 21-year-old Princess John in Ojota.
Investigations revealed that the suspects belong to a criminal network that recruits and trafficks young women from Nigeria to Ghana. Further operations led to the rescue of 10 more victims aged between 21 and 29.
The Police said the rescued victims are now in protective custody and receiving support, while arrangements are being made to reunite them with their families. The suspects are in custody and assisting with investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, commended the operatives for the successful operation. He reaffirmed the command’s zero tolerance for human trafficking and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
In a separate incident, a 45-year-old electrician was confirmed dead after being electrocuted in the Shasha area of Alimosho on August 10, 2025.
The victim was said to have been reconnecting electricity cables to a pole when the incident occurred. Police officers rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.
Also, on July 17, 2025, at about 5:40 a.m., operatives attached to the Tactical Squad of the command in Surulere arrested four suspected cultists during a raid on their hideout in Ebute Meta.
The suspects: Raphael Ashim, 30, Wasiu Kareem, 33, Sadiq Olabisi, 40, and Ibrahim Abdul, 22, were linked to the recent murder of a 30-year-old man identified as Kamoru.
A manhunt for other fleeing gang members is ongoing.
