The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State command, has apprehended a man and three women suspected of involvement in human trafficking.
The arrested individuals are believed to have been trafficking young girls from Akwa-Ibom and Cross River states to Ibadan for prostitution.
During a press briefing held on Friday at the command headquarters in Agodi, Ibadan, Commandant Augustine Padonu announced that nine girls, aged between 16 and 22, some of whom were already pregnant, had been rescued from the traffickers.
Padonu explained that both the suspects and the rescued victims will be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The suspects are expected to return to the NSCDC for arraignment.
In a separate incident, NSCDC operatives intercepted a large consignment of petrol intended for smuggling into the Republic of Benin.
On July 30, following reliable intelligence about smuggling activities in the Kisi area of the state, the command’s Monitoring Team conducted a raid and discovered 55 jerry cans, each containing 30 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), hidden in a forest.
Commandant Padonu highlighted the ongoing issue of petroleum product smuggling, noting its negative impact on the economy and public safety. Unfortunately, the suspects involved in this smuggling attempt managed to escape and are currently on the run. Efforts to locate and apprehend them are underway.
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