Not less than 27 foreigners who are suspected human trafficking victims have been rescued by the Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command.
The state Police Commnd added that the victims were to be trafficked out of the country by their agent.
The victims were rescued after receiving a tip from the Rapid Response Squad of the command at Isheri Oshun area of the State.
Briefing press yesterday at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, communicated the development on behalf of Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Moshood.
According to him, as soon as the Police received the information, operatives moved into the area and rescued the victims who were locked up in an apartment in the area.
The Spokesperson said among the rescued were 18 male and 19 Female, some of them were Ghanian and some are from Benin Republic.
He added that preliminary investigations revealed that they were all lured into the country under the guise of getting them jobs.
In a related development on March 9, 2025, a Vendor also claimed that she was allegedly kidnapped and extorted by individuals posing as customers.
According to the victim, on March 5, at about 8am, while she was at her shop in Alaba International Market, Ojo, one Emmanuel Bernard contacted her via WhatsApp, requesting she deliver two phone pouches to Iyana-Isashi area of the State.
The victim said upon arrival at the said address she was forcefully dragged into a room by the said Emmanuel and another female accomplice, identified as Mazioma Okafor and the door was locked behind.
The Police Spokesperson said the suspects physically assaulted her, took nude pictures, and demanded a ransom of two million naira from her.
“The victim was later released after her family members paid three hundred thousand ransom, following her complaint, a team of police detectives was mobilized to the scene.
“Leading to the swift arrest of the two suspects, who are currently in our custody.”