Ondo Police Smash Sex-Trafficking Syndicate Disguised as Job Agency, “Content Creation” Hub — 15 Young Women Rescued
In a major breakthrough against human trafficking and sexual exploitation, the Ondo State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated sex-trafficking ring that lured unsuspecting young women under the pretense of job recruitment and social media “content creation.”
Fifteen victims — all young women between the ages of 20 and 26 — were rescued from a rented apartment in the highbrow Alagbaka area of Akure, which investigators described as the “operational base” of the illicit operation.
The syndicate, led by one Jayeola Joshua and two accomplices now in custody, allegedly targeted victims across Nigeria through social media platforms and informal job channels. Police sources said the women were promised lucrative employment opportunities — including domestic work, ushering jobs, and overseas placements — but upon arrival in Akure, they were trapped in a web of sexual exploitation
According to investigators, the women were manipulated into producing nude photos and explicit videos, which were later sent to paying clients in what the syndicate claimed was “relationship content” creation for social media. The group reportedly operated a network of handlers, with proceeds shared among members. The principal suspect, Joshua, allegedly received the largest cut.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit stormed the Alagbaka apartment, freeing the 15 victims and arresting the main suspect Other members of the ring remain at large, but police say efforts are ongoing to track them down.
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, confirmed that the apartment had been rented solely for the purpose of the criminal enterprise. He further disclosed that the landlords of the building have been invited for questioning to determine their level of complicity.
Following their rescue, the victims were taken to the Police Hospital in Akure for medical attention, psychological evaluation, and counseling. The Commissioner ordered that the case be transferred to the Command’s Gender Desk Unit for a comprehensive investigation and rehabilitation of the victims.
He vowed that all arrested suspects would be prosecuted, emphasizing the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Reaffirming the Command’s resolve to stamp out sex trafficking, Lawal cautioned parents and guardians to conduct proper background checks before allowing their wards to travel for job opportunities.
“Many of these traffickers operate under legitimate-sounding names — agencies, modeling firms, and content creation brands. We urge the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly,” the CP stated.
He called on citizens to provide credible information to the police, stressing that community partnership remains essential to maintaining law and order across Ondo State.
Experts say the case reflects a disturbing new trend in sex trafficking, where criminal syndicates exploit social media’s reach to recruit victims under the guise of influencer marketing or content creation.
With this bust, the Ondo State Police Command has reaffirmed its position as one of the leading commands in the country’s battle against human trafficking — protecting vulnerable citizens and restoring public confidence in the fight against organized crime.