The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ekiti State Command, has rescued thirty-seven Ghanaian nationals from an alleged irregular migration and human trafficking syndicate in Ado-Ekiti.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Toma Mathew disclosed this while briefing journalists at the command headquarters.
He said the victims were rescued along Afao Road in the state capital following credible intelligence about a group of foreigners occupying a residential building and deliberately avoiding interaction with members of the host community.
Acting on the intelligence, operatives stormed the location and discovered that the occupants were foreign nationals who had reportedly been lured into Nigeria under false pretences.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were brought in from Ghana with promises of onward relocation to Australia.
They were allegedly made to pay between one thousand and two thousand US dollars each, with assurances that necessary travel arrangements had been concluded to facilitate their entry into Australia from Nigeria.
However, authorities say there were no concrete travel plans in place, and the victims were kept uninformed about the details of their supposed journey, raising suspicions of a well-coordinated migration scam.
One of the suspects reportedly admitted that the victims were deceived with promises of relocation abroad that never materialised.
The NSCDC Commandant assured that the rescued individuals will be handed over to the appropriate government agency for further investigation and necessary diplomatic procedures, including possible repatriation to reunite them with their families in Ghana.
He added that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate and to identify additional victims who may still be within the region.
The command also warned members of the public against falling prey to irregular migration schemes, urging citizens to verify travel opportunities through proper and lawful channels.
