Police smash Lagos-Ghana sex trafficking ring, arrest 3 suspects
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A trans-border child trafficking syndicate recruiting and transporting young women from Nigeria to Ghana for prostitution has been smashed, Lagos Police Command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin announced at the weekend.
He explained in a statement that officers from Ilemba Hausa Division first intercepted one of the suspects, Mustapha Abubakar, with a 15-year-old girl who was about to be trafficked.
Then the case was transferred to the Special Squad I of the command, which launched an operation leading to the arrest of three other suspects.
“On August 13, 2025, operatives of Ilemba Hausa Division intercepted and arrested one Mustapha Abubakar ‘m’, suspected to be an okada operator and recruiter, in possession of a 15-year-old female victim who was on the verge of being trafficked to Ghana for prostitution,” Hundeyin narrated.
“The case was, thereafter, transferred to the Special Squad I of the Command, which, supported by actionable intelligence, launched a swift and coordinated manhunt that led to the arrest of Charles Chima ‘m’ aged 54, at Amuwo Odofin, Emmanuel Nwaka ‘m’ aged 3,6, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, and Princess John ‘f’ aged 21 at Ojota.”
According to Hundeyin, investigations revealed the suspects were part of a criminal network responsible for luring and transporting young women from Nigeria to Ghana for sex work, and also led to the rescue of an additional 10 victims, aged between 21 and 29.
“They [the victims] are currently in protective custody, receiving care and support, while arrangements are being made to reunite them with their families. The suspects are in custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations,” he said.
Hundeyin quoted Police Commissioner Olohundare Jimoh as commending the officers for their swift response, reiterating the command’s zero tolerance for human trafficking, and urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police.
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