The Lagos State Police Command has rescued eleven victims and arrested four suspected members of a trans-border trafficking syndicate allegedly involved in smuggling young Nigerians to Ghana for prostitution.
The breakthrough followed the interception of a 15-year-old girl by operatives of the Ilemba Hausa Division on 13 August.
She was reportedly in the custody of Mustapha Abubakar, a motorcycle operator turned alleged recruiter, and was moments away from being taken out of the country.
The case was referred to the Command’s Special Squad I, which launched a swift intelligence-led operation across multiple locations.
The clampdown led to the arrest of Charles Chima, 54, at Amuwo Odofin; Emmanuel Nwaka, 36, along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway; and Princess John, 21, at Ojota.
Police said the syndicate lured vulnerable women with false promises before trafficking them to Ghana for sexual exploitation.
Follow-up raids led to the rescue of ten more victims, aged between 21 and 29.
They are now in protective care, receiving medical and psychological support, with plans to reunite them with their families.
The four suspects are in custody and assisting police with investigations aimed at dismantling the wider network.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, commended his officers for the successful operation, warning traffickers that the state would remain a hostile environment for their activities.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements promptly.
