Korede Abdullah 
ADO-EKITI, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Civil Defence operatives rescue 37 young Ghanaians from a suspected cross-border human trafficking syndicate operating in Ekiti State, following weeks of intelligence-led surveillance.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ekiti State Command, on Thursday says the victims are freed from multiple locations across Ado-Ekiti during a coordinated early-morning operation on Tuesday.
State Commandant Toma Matthew Enya tells journalists that the rescue follows three weeks of discreet intelligence gathering after credible information points to an organised trafficking ring in the state capital.
Preliminary investigations show the victims allegedly pay between $1,000 and $2,000 each under false promises of securing travel visas to Australia and other countries, only to be trafficked into Nigeria.
“We have the mandate of all Nigerians to prevent crimes and safeguard our communities at a very critical time in our nation’s history,” Mr Enya says.
He urges residents to support security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, stressing that community cooperation remains crucial in dismantling trafficking networks.
The rescued Ghanaians are handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for profiling, care and further investigation.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to track and arrest other members of the syndicate, while investigations continue to determine the full scale of the operation and possible international links.
The NSCDC reiterates its commitment to combating human trafficking and related crimes, warning traffickers that security agencies remain vigilant and resolute.
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