Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Police Command in Lagos State has apprehended a woman for allegedly attempting to traffic three young women from Kaduna State to Ivory Coast for prostitution, in an operation that has uncovered a sophisticated human trafficking ring targeting vulnerable job seekers from northern Nigeria. The suspect was arrested following a complaint by one of the victims who resisted the plan after discovering the true purpose of the journey.
According to a police source who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, June 18, 2026, the suspect lured the victims, aged between 18 and 20, from Kaduna State to Lagos with promises of legitimate employment in a restaurant in the city. The victims arrived in the Ajegunle area of Lagos on May 23, 2026, believing they were beginning new jobs. However, upon their arrival, the suspect allegedly informed them that she intended to send them to Ivory Coast for prostitution.
One of the victims immediately objected upon learning of the true plan. “She immediately told the suspect that prostitution was not what they had been told they were coming to Lagos for,” the police source told NAN. The suspect allegedly took the girls to a motor park with plans to facilitate their movement out of the country. Alarmed by the development, one of the victims approached the police and lodged a complaint. Following the report, detectives launched an investigation and subsequently apprehended the suspect.
The case was transferred from the Tolu Division, Ajegunle, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, following a directive from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Tijani. The investigation into the allegations of conspiracy, deception and human trafficking is now being handled by the Anti-Human Trafficking/Gender Unit of the SCID under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, Mr Dayo Akinbisehin. A police source told NAN on Thursday that the victims were never informed of the alleged plan before leaving Kaduna.
According to the police source, efforts are underway to rescue other victims allegedly being held by an accomplice and to trace other persons connected to the suspected trafficking operation. The source added that investigations have been concluded and the suspect will be charged to court as soon as possible. The case highlights the persistent challenge of human trafficking in Nigeria, where criminal networks continue to exploit young women with false promises of employment. Traffickers often lure victims from economically disadvantaged regions with offers of legitimate jobs, only to force them into prostitution or other forms of exploitation. Nigeria remains a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking, with many victims ending up in West African countries, Europe, and the Middle East.
The Lagos State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Tijani, has directed that all necessary measures be taken to ensure that those involved in trafficking operations are brought to justice. The Anti-Human Trafficking and Gender Unit of the SCID continues to work with other security agencies to dismantle trafficking networks operating within and outside the state.
As investigations continue, the Lagos State Police Command has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to human trafficking to the nearest police station or through the command's emergency lines. The command also advised young job seekers to verify the authenticity of employment offers and to be cautious of individuals who make promises that seem too good to be true.
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