NAPTIP arrests 120 suspected human traffickers in Ondo

The Ondo State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has arrested no fewer than 120 suspected human traffickers across the state in the last three years.

The Federal Government agency has also rescued more than 300 victims since the command commenced operations in the state in November 2023.

The State Commander of NAPTIP, Taiwo Adegboyega, disclosed this on Friday in Akure, the state capital, at a programme organised by the Civil Society Organisation Network on Migration and Development to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Adegboyega said several of the suspects arrested by the command were already facing prosecution, while the agency had secured convictions in some trafficking cases within the period under review.

He said, “Since we got to Ondo State precisely in November 2023, so far, we have rescued not less than 300 victims, locally and internationally. We have arrested not less than 120 suspects of human trafficking.

“I can tell you clearly that we have some cases before the court that are under prosecution, and we have secured convictions in some of these cases.”

According to him, the command has strengthened collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking.

The NAPTIP boss noted that some suspected traffickers operating under the guise of travel agencies had already been arrested, while others were still being investigated or prepared for prosecution.

“Some of these so-called agents that are not registered with NANTA, but are working as travel agents, are in our nets already. They have been arrested for the kind of things they are doing,” he said.

Earlier, the Civil Society Organisation Network on Migration and Development called on the Ondo State Government to appoint a Special Adviser on Migration to coordinate migration-related issues and provide stronger support for Ondo indigenes returning from abroad.

Speaking on the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, themed “Trapped Behind the Scam,” Franklin Oloniju said deceptive recruitment schemes, fake jobs, scholarships, travel opportunities and other fraudulent promises continued to expose vulnerable people to trafficking.

According to him, the network was particularly concerned about the lack of adequate reintegration structures for returnees.

“In Ondo State, we call on the government to, as a matter of urgency, appoint an adviser on migration to coordinate activities of Ondo State indigenes who oftentimes were left hanging due to the lack of a supportive structure to reintegrate them effortlessly,” Oloniju said.