Police arrest suspected human traffickers in Ogun, rescue victims en route to West African countries
By: Zagazola Makama
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight suspected human traffickers and rescued several victims, including a baby, who were allegedly being transported to Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.
The suspects were intercepted on Sept. 30 at about 9:40 p.m. by a patrol team led by ASP Helen Samaila of the Border Patrol Area of Responsibility (AOR) along the Idiroko axis.
The suspects were travelling in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Camry car driven by one Jelili, 35, from Owode town.
Other occupants of the vehicle included Mark Eze, from Ahoada, Rivers State; Peace Friday, 22, and Rise Ebise, 21, both from Akwa Ibom State; Annabel Aondofa, 27, from Benue State; Nasiru Rasaq, 35, from Osun State; Amina Isah, 35, carrying a baby girl; Rahima Isiah, 35; and Basirat Nasiru, 70, all from Osun State.
Upon interrogation, the victims from Akwa Ibom, Benue, and Rivers States narrated how they were handed over to several agents before being transferred to one Shakiru Zakariyau, 45, of Ajegunle, Idiroko, who was to facilitate their illegal journey to neighbouring West African countries.
Others claimed they were travelling to Togo for a burial but had no valid travel documents or international passports.
The police said the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, had taken over the case for further
