The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a trans-border child trafficking syndicate and rescued 11 young girls allegedly being trafficked to Ghana for prostitution.
Police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed in a statement on Friday that personnel from the Ilemba Hausa Division arrested one Mustapha Abubakar on August 13 while he was attempting to ferry a 15-year-old girl out of Lagos.
“The suspect, reportedly a commercial motorcyclist and recruiter, was intercepted with the minor who was about to be trafficked to Ghana for sexual exploitation,” Hundeyin said.
He explained that the case was transferred to the Command’s Special Squad I, which acted on intelligence to track and apprehend three other suspects across different locations in Lagos.
“Our operatives arrested 54-year-old Charles Chima at Amuwo Odofin, 36-year-old Emmanuel Nwaka along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, and 21-year-old Princess John at Ojota. Following the arrests, ten additional victims aged between 21 and 29 were rescued from the syndicate,” Hundeyin stated.
According to him, the victims are receiving care at a protective shelter, while arrangements are being made to reunite them with their families.
“All rescued persons are now safe and receiving the necessary support, while the arrested suspects are assisting police investigators in unraveling the full network,” he added.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, lauded the swift efforts of the officers and reiterated the Command’s hard stance against human trafficking.
“Our resolve remains firm — we will not tolerate any form of trafficking or exploitation. We urge residents to remain watchful, protect vulnerable youths, and report any suspicious activities promptly,” he said.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
