Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ondo State Police Command has rescued a 13-year-old girl and dismantled a suspected child trafficking ring, following a routine stop at the Owena Checkpoint by Nigerian Army personnel on April 23, 2026. The operation, which unfolded at approximately 6:44 p.m., led to the arrest of two suspects who were travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Abuja with the minor under highly suspicious circumstances. The police have since transferred the case to the Gender-Based Offences Unit for discreet investigation, while the rescued girl has been placed in protective care. The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has reaffirmed the command’s zero-tolerance stance against crimes targeting children and vulnerable persons, vowing that all perpetrators will face the full weight of the law.
According to a statement released on Saturday, April 25, 2026, by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the suspects were apprehended at the Owena Checkpoint by personnel of the Nigerian Army, who then alerted the police. The vehicle in question was an 18-seater Toyota Hummer commercial bus, fully loaded with waybills, and was being driven by a 59-year-old man, Akomolafe Tope, with a conductor named Sunday Ismaila, aged 48. During a careful inspection of the vehicle and its passengers, security operatives discovered the 13-year-old girl in the possession of the suspects under questionable circumstances. When questioned, the suspects could not provide any credible or verifiable details about the minor’s identity, origin, or destination, raising serious red flags that pointed to a child trafficking operation.
The prompt intervention of the joint security team averted what could have been another tragic case of a minor being sold into forced labour, servitude, or prostitution. Child trafficking remains a pervasive problem in Nigeria, with the country serving as a source, transit, and destination for victims trafficked within its borders and across international lines. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has consistently reported that children are often lured from rural communities with false promises of education or employment, only to be exploited. The rescue of the 13-year-old girl on the Owena route highlights the critical importance of inter-agency collaboration in combating this scourge.
DSP Jimoh confirmed that the suspects were taken into custody immediately, while the girl was rescued and placed in protective care. “The case has been handed over to the Gender-Based Offences Unit of the command for a thorough and discreet investigation,” Jimoh stated. He added that the suspects would be charged in court following the conclusion of the investigation. The police spokesperson also emphasised that the successful operation underscores the effective collaboration between the Ondo State Police Command, the Nigerian Army, and other relevant security agencies. “This partnership has improved intelligence sharing, coordinated responses, and quick interventions in critical situations,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has reiterated the command’s unwavering stance against crimes targeting children and other vulnerable populations. He assured the public that all individuals found guilty would be prosecuted according to the law. “We will not tolerate any form of child trafficking or exploitation in Ondo State. Anyone caught will face the full consequences of their actions,” Lawal was quoted as saying. The command also used the opportunity to advise parents and guardians to be vigilant and monitor their children’s movements and well-being. Transport operators were urged to accurately document and verify the identities of passengers, particularly minors, to avoid unwittingly facilitating criminal activities. Residents were encouraged to report any suspicious activities or movements involving children to the nearest police station or relevant security agency.
The rescue of the 13-year-old girl comes at a time when human trafficking is receiving renewed attention from both government and civil society. According to the 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report by the U.S. Department of State, Nigeria remains a Tier 2 country, meaning it does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The report noted that Nigerian authorities have increased prosecutions and convictions of traffickers, but challenges remain, including the complicity of some officials and the lack of adequate victim protection services. The Ondo State Police Command’s swift action is a positive step, but much more needs to be done at the federal and state levels to dismantle trafficking networks and provide support for survivors.
The arrested suspects, Akomolafe Tope and Sunday Ismaila, are currently in police custody. Their vehicle, an 18-seater Toyota Hummer bus, was impounded and will be used as evidence in court. The police have not disclosed the intended destination of the minor, nor whether she was being taken to a buyer or a trafficking hub. However, sources indicate that the bus was travelling from Lagos to Abuja, a major transit corridor for traffickers moving victims from southern to northern Nigeria and sometimes across the border to Niger or Chad. The Gender-Based Offences Unit is expected to interview the girl thoroughly, with the assistance of child psychologists and social workers, to piece together the circumstances of her journey and identify any accomplices.
This incident also highlights the vital role of checkpoint security in intercepting trafficking operations. While many critics argue that roadblocks are often used for extortion, the Owena Checkpoint encounter demonstrates that when properly utilised, checkpoints can serve as effective tools for identifying and stopping criminal activities. The Nigerian Army personnel who first stopped the vehicle acted on standard operating procedures, conducting a thorough inspection that uncovered the suspicious circumstances surrounding the minor. Their vigilance, combined with the subsequent handover to the police, underscores the importance of inter-agency trust and cooperation.
The Ondo State Police Command has reaffirmed its dedication to protecting lives and property and will continue to work with other security agencies to combat human trafficking and related crimes. The command also appealed to members of the public to provide timely and credible information that could assist in identifying and apprehending traffickers. “We cannot fight this battle alone. The community must be our eyes and ears,” DSP Jimoh said.
As the 13-year-old girl begins her journey toward recovery, the two suspects await their day in court. If convicted under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, they face up to life imprisonment. For now, the child is safe, and a criminal network has been disrupted. But the war against human trafficking is far from over, and the police know that for every trafficker caught, many more remain in the shadows. The rescue at Owena is a victory, but it is also a reminder of how many children are still waiting to be found.
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