A notorious ring of human traffickers trading teenage girls for prostitution and illicit jobs within and outside Nigeria has been intercepted in Ondo State.
The culprits were apprehended at a hideout in Akure while planning to fly their victims outside the country for prostitution.
The arrested culprits have been handed over to the officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) in Ondo State for prosecution, SaharaReporters learned.
Our correspondent obtained the names of the arrested group leaders as Olofintuyi Bukola, 35, and George Bukola, age 25.
Ondo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fasiu Adeyinka, further confirmed the news to SaharaReporters.
Mr. Adeyinka said the culprits were apprehended following a tip off and surveillance placed at their hide out in the state capital.
Mr. Adeyinka claimed that the arrest was a renewed offensive against criminal elements sabotaging security agencies effort in the State.
"The arrest was made at about 11:45 AM at the airways, Lafe, Akure South Local Government Area,” he said.
He revealed that the culprits had concluded plans to send the victims from Nigeria to Libya for prostitution and forced labor.
A source at the NSCDC office told our correspondent that four innocent female victims who had been forced into the illicit trade have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
"We have transferred the young ladies to the NAPTIP office in Akure," he said.
Meanwhile, some thieves specializing in burgling private vehicles have been arrested by the intelligence officers of the command.
The gang specialized in breaking into cars and stealing accessories such as car radios, batteries, and car logos.
SaharaReporters learned that four of the culprits were caught at Muslim Primary School, Isikan, in Akure.
The culprits are Busuyi Ajibola, Kayode Aseweje, Adeyemo Ojo and Sunday Adewale, and are under investigation.
However, the command has asked all criminals to vacate the State or face a tough war with security agencies.
