In a decisive clampdown on organized crime, the Oyo State Police Command has dismantled a major human-trafficking syndicate operating in Ibadan, rescuing no fewer than 84 victims from the suspects in the state.
The victims, who were teenage girls, were held in captivity in various locations within the city by the suspected traffickers.
As gathered, the victims were reportedly being prepared for both local and international trafficking by members of the criminal gang operating in the state.
While some of the suspects have been detained, it was learnt that some members of the gang have fled from the state to avoid being arrested for the crime.
Aside from that, the law enforcement officers arrested 15 suspected cultists during a coordinated raids across various parts of the state.
The dual operations, according to the police, were executed to curb the growing menace of human exploitation and violent gang activities across the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Adebola Hamzat, disclosed the achievements during a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
He described the development as “a major step forward” in restoring public confidence in law enforcement and securing the lives of residents.
According to him, the anti-human trafficking operation, which followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance, led to the rescue of 84 victims,
“These criminal elements had set up a well-organized syndicate for the purpose of exploiting vulnerable individuals.
“Our officers acted swiftly and decisively, and this action sends a strong message to traffickers that Oyo State is not a safe place for their illegal operations.” The victims have since been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration.
On the cultists, the police were said to have stormed suspected cult hideouts in Ibadan, Ogbomoso, and Iseyin, leading to the arrest of 15 individuals allegedly linked to various confraternities.
The suspects were said to be involved in initiation rituals, street violence, and extortion activities that have disturbed peace and security in those communities.
Arms recovered from the cult suspects include locally-made pistols, machetes, charms, and mobile phones believed to have been used to coordinate attacks.
The Commissioner noted that the operation was part of a broader strategy to dismantle cultist networks and curb their growing influence among youths in the state. The suspects, he said, are currently in custody and will be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
The Oyo State Government has commended the police for their swift action and pledged continued support for security agencies. Human rights groups and community leaders also praised the coordinated efforts, urging law enforcement to sustain the momentum and ensure justice for victims. The police assured the public that more raids and security operations would follow in the coming weeks as part of a renewed effort to reclaim public spaces from criminal elements.
