Nigerian Police Rescue 25 Ivorian Nationals in Ogun State Human Trafficking Crackdown

In a major victory against transnational human trafficking and kidnapping, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) announced the successful rescue of 25 Ivorian nationals, including a young man reported missing in Côte d’Ivoire. The daring operation, which unfolded on May 5 in Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, also led to the arrest of eight suspected traffickers, shedding light on a cross-border criminal syndicate operating between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.

Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, released the official statement on Friday, outlining the details of the operation and commending the collaborative efforts between Nigeria’s Interpol Unit and its Ivorian counterpart.

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Ivorian Nationals Rescued After Cross-Border Kidnapping in Ejegun Itele

The genesis of this international rescue effort began with a missing persons report filed in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. On April 23, 2025, Mrs. Kaussi Amenan Marianman reported her son, Ladji Yoa Pierre, missing to the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abidjan. According to the complaint, Pierre had been lured to Nigeria under false pretenses by two men—Simon Oliver and Michael Odunga—who promised to facilitate his travel to Belgium.

Once Pierre arrived in Nigeria, he was reportedly abducted and held captive by the suspects who demanded a ransom of 2.5 million CFA francs, approximately ₦6.6 million, for his release.

Upon receiving the distress alert through NCB Abidjan, Commissioner of Police, Interpol Annex Lagos, CP Bode Ojajuni, swiftly deployed a tactical team of investigators to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victim. The operation commenced with a raid at Osehi Hotel in Ado-Odo Ota, where police rescued two individuals and arrested two suspects.

Subsequent intelligence-led follow-up action led police to Ejegun Itele in the same locality. In this coordinated sting, the team rescued an additional 23 Ivorian nationals—including the originally reported missing victim, Ladji Yoa Pierre—and apprehended six more suspects.

The suspects are believed to be part of a human trafficking network that preys on vulnerable individuals from francophone West African countries, luring them with promises of foreign travel, employment, and better living conditions. However, upon arrival in Nigeria, many of these individuals are reportedly subjected to extortion, captivity, or coerced labor.

In a heartwarming reunion following the successful operation, the rescued Pierre was handed over to his mother, Mrs. Marianman, who traveled from Abidjan to Nigeria after receiving confirmation of his recovery. The remaining 24 victims have since been placed in the custody of the Nigerian Immigration Services at Zone ‘A’ Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, for documentation and further repatriation procedures.

The Nigeria Police confirmed that all eight arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing investigation. Charges are likely to be filed against them for offenses relating to kidnapping, human trafficking, and extortion under both national and international law.

Reacting to the development, the NCB in Abidjan issued a letter dated May 6, 2025, expressing profound gratitude to the Nigeria Police Force and the Interpol Unit for their swift and effective action. The letter lauded the professionalism of the officers involved and emphasized the importance of continued cross-border cooperation in tackling transnational crimes such as trafficking and abduction.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised the operatives for their diligence and commitment to international law enforcement collaboration. He stated that Nigeria will not be a haven for criminal syndicates that exploit vulnerable individuals, regardless of their nationality.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its mission to dismantle criminal networks and protect all persons residing within our borders,” the IGP affirmed.

This rescue underscores the increasing importance of international policing cooperation, particularly in West Africa, where porous borders and shared languages facilitate transnational criminal operations. The police reiterated their commitment to working closely with foreign agencies and international organizations to clamp down on the growing menace of human trafficking and smuggling.

Human rights advocates and civil society organizations have applauded the Nigerian Police for the timely intervention, urging the government to ensure that victims receive proper counseling, medical care, and reintegration assistance upon return to their home country.

While this operation highlights the capacity and readiness of the Nigerian security apparatus to respond to such crimes, it also raises alarms about the increasing sophistication of human traffickers and the exploitation of migration dreams among West African youths.

The Nigerian government has been urged to increase public awareness campaigns, strengthen legal frameworks, and invest in intelligence-sharing platforms to prevent such occurrences. Additionally, source countries like Côte d’Ivoire are being encouraged to educate citizens about the risks of irregular migration and the deceptive tactics used by traffickers.

With the suspects now in custody and investigations ongoing, the authorities have promised to leave no stone unturned in prosecuting those responsible. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of transnational crime and the need for unified global action to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals.