Uyo: Seven trafficking victims have been rescued and four suspects arrested along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road in Akwa Ibom State, police said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Uyo on Saturday.
John said police operatives dismantled a human trafficking syndicate within the state and apprehended those involved.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives quickly mobilised a patrol team. The team then conducted a coordinated stop-and-search operation along Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road on Friday.
At about 8 a.m. on Friday, the operation specifically targeted vehicles suspected of transporting trafficking victims.
“During the operation along Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road, four victims were rescued from the intercepted vehicle, and the suspect transporting them was arrested and taken into custody.
“Following reports that a vehicle was conveying young persons suspected to be victims of human trafficking, our operatives quickly moved to intercept it,” John said.
Further interrogation of the suspect expanded the operation to Itam and Ibaka in Oron Local Government Area.
John explained that, after the initial rescue, further investigation led to operations in Itam and Ibaka in Oron Local Government Area, where three additional victims were rescued and three more suspects apprehended. This brought the total across both locations to seven victims and four suspects.
In total, seven victims were rescued and four suspects apprehended.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the trafficking syndicate recruited and transported young persons across borders for exploitation.
Intelligence gathered further revealed that a ringleader escaped through waterways, travelling from Ibaka in Oron to Cameroon and Gabon, taking some victims along.
With investigations ongoing, the suspects are expected to be charged in court once the probe is completed.
The police spokesperson reiterated the command’s commitment to combating human trafficking and other organised crimes in the state.
The public is assured that police efforts continue to locate and apprehend remaining fleeing members of the syndicate.
John urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to the police to help protect vulnerable persons and strengthen community safety.