The Ondo State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has caught at least 120 suspected human traffickers in the state over the last three years.
The Federal Government agency also rescued more than 300 victims since it began operations in Ondo State in November 2023.
Taiwo Adegboyega, the State Commander of NAPTIP, shared this news on Friday in Akure, the state capital. He spoke at a program organized by the Civil Society Organisation Network on Migration and Development to mark the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Adegboyega mentioned that many of the suspects arrested are currently facing prosecution. The agency has also won convictions in some trafficking cases during this time.
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.”
The commander explained that NAPTIP has worked closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and other important partners to tackle human trafficking.
Adegboyega pointed out that some suspected traffickers pretending to be travel agents have already been arrested. Others are still being investigated or getting ready 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 urged the Ondo State Government to appoint a Special Adviser on Migration. This adviser would help manage migration issues and offer better support for Ondo indigenes returning from abroad.
Speaking at the event for the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, themed “Trapped Behind the Scam,” Franklin Oloniju said that schemes that trick people, such as fake jobs, scholarships, travel chances, and other false promises, keep putting vulnerable people at risk of trafficking.
According to him, the network is worried about the lack of proper reintegration systems 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.
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