Police Bust Trans-Border Human Trafficking Ring in Ondo, Rescue 14 Victims
The Ondo State Police Command has dismantled a suspected trans-national human trafficking network, arresting several suspects and rescuing 14 victims in separate but related operations across the state.
The breakthrough followed a report made on January 22, 2026, by a Togolese national, Meale Yaoili, who escaped from the custody of a trafficking syndicate and reported his ordeal at the Yaba Police Station in Ondo State. According to police findings, the victim was lured from Togo to Nigeria under the false promise of securing employment in Canada.
Investigations revealed that Yaoili had been deceived by one Tchodia Potolaw Fidel, now at large, whom he had known since 2019. Fidel allegedly claimed to reside in Canada and convinced the victim to travel to Nigeria, falsely stating that there was no Canadian Embassy in Togo. Upon arrival, Yaoili’s personal belongings were seized, and he was held against his will after paying 800,000 CFA francs.
A swift police operation led to the arrest of six suspects identified as Cleude Grao, Samuel Dsiwa, Michael Amissa, Olayiwola Kazeem, Akinubi Adebayo, and Oluwole Vincent, the landlord of the premises where the victims were kept. Three additional victims were rescued during the operation.
In a related development, the police uncovered another trafficking operation on January 23, 2026, following a complaint initially reported as suspected banditry by Chief Ojomu of Oba-Ile. The case, involving Umaru Baba and eleven others, was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Police investigations later revealed that the suspects were not bandits but illegal immigrants from the Republic of Chad, residing in a duplex around the OSOPADEC area of Akure. Umaru Baba was identified as the principal suspect and is alleged to be involved in trans-border crimes, including human trafficking, recruitment, and modern-day slavery.
Further findings showed that the suspects were recruited under the guise of commission-based online marketing. Eleven Chadian nationals—ten males and one female—were allegedly trafficked into Nigeria en route to the Cameroon border and later harboured illegally. They have since been classified as victims of human trafficking.
Efforts to access the premises linked to the operation were initially unsuccessful due to the absence of the key holder. However, police disclosed that the female landlord, based in Ibadan, is currently being traced for questioning over alleged negligence in allowing her property to be used for criminal activities.
All suspects are currently in police custody and have made useful statements, while investigations continue to apprehend fleeing accomplices. The rescued victims are to be handed over to their respective embassies for diplomatic engagement and repatriation.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, warned landlords and property owners to conduct proper background checks on tenants, stressing that negligence could attract legal consequences. He also commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for ongoing reforms and innovations that have enhanced policing efficiency.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to combating human trafficking and trans-border crimes, urging members of the public to continue providing credible information to support security efforts across Ondo State.
