The Lagos State Police Command has dismantled a notorious trans-border child trafficking syndicate, rescuing eleven victims and arresting four suspects allegedly involved in recruiting and transporting young Nigerians to Ghana for prostitution.
In a statement on Friday via X, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said operatives of the Ilemba Hausa Division intercepted and arrested one Mustapha Abubakar, a suspected commercial motorcyclist and recruiter, on August 13, 2025.
He was found in possession of a 15-year-old female victim who was reportedly on the verge of being trafficked to Ghana.
Hudeyi said the case was subsequently transferred to the Command’s Special Squad I, which, acting on actionable intelligence, launched a coordinated manhunt.
This, he noted, led to the arrest of 54-year-old Charles Chima at Amuwo Odofin, 36-year-old Emmanuel Nwaka along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, and 21-year-old Princess John at Ojota.
“The Lagos State Police Command has busted a notorious trans-border child trafficking gang, rescuing eleven victims and arresting four suspects involved in recruiting and transporting young Nigerians to Ghana for prostitution.
“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.
“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 36 along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, and Princess John ‘f’ aged 21 at Ojota,” the statement said.
He added that further investigations led to the safe rescue of ten additional victims, aged between 21 and 29. According to him, all the rescued persons are now in protective care, receiving necessary support, with arrangements underway to reunite them with their families.
Hundeyin stated that the suspects remain in custody and are assisting investigators in uncovering the full extent of the network.
“Investigation revealed that all arrested suspects are part of the criminal network that recruits and traffick young women from Nigeria to Ghana. Further investigations led to the safe rescue of additional ten victims aged between 21 and 29.
“All rescued persons are now in protective care, receiving the necessary support and assistance, while arrangements are being made to reunite them with their families. The suspects remain in custody and are actively assisting investigators in unravelling the full extent of the network,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, commended the operatives for their “swift and professional action.”
