The Ondo State Police Command has dismantled a cross-border human trafficking syndicate and rescued a 21-year-old woman who was allegedly deceived and trafficked to Côte d’Ivoire under the guise of securing legitimate employment.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh.

According to the statement, the victim, Akinwunmi Faith, was lured out of Nigeria on February 22, 2026, by three suspects, Akinlaja Blessings, Johnson Ahomari, and a third accomplice identified simply as Grace, who remains at large. The suspects allegedly promised her employment as a supermarket sales assistant.

Her mother, Akinwunmi Olubunmi, had reported her disappearance at the Okitipupa Police Division on April 13, 2026, prompting a police investigation.

Preliminary findings revealed that upon arrival in Côte d’Ivoire, the victim was forced into prostitution and subjected to exploitative and abusive conditions.

Police said the victim managed to escape on April 6, 2026, after navigating through a bush path to a nearby community, where she contacted her family. She was subsequently returned to Nigeria on April 11 and taken to the State Specialist Hospital in Okitipupa for medical and psychological care.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives arrested two of the suspects, Akinlaja Blessings and Johnson Ahomari, who are currently in custody and assisting with ongoing investigations. Efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect and dismantle the wider trafficking network.

The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, condemned the act, describing it as inhuman and a gross violation of human dignity, while assuring that all perpetrators would be brought to justice.