Operatives of the Nigerian Army have foiled a suspected child trafficking attempt along the Owena axis of Ondo State, rescuing a 13-year-old girl from a commercial vehicle.
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Friday, stating that it occurred at about 6:44pm on April 23 at a military checkpoint in the area.
According to the police, the vehicle, a Toyota 18-seater bus travelling from Lagos to Abuja, was intercepted during a routine stop-and-search operation when the minor was found under suspicious circumstances.
The driver, identified as Akomolafe Tope, 59, and the conductor, Sunday Ismaila, 48, were reportedly unable to provide credible information regarding the identity, origin, or destination of the girl.
The command said their inability to give a satisfactory account raised suspicion, leading to their arrest.
“The suspects could not provide verifiable details about the minor, prompting immediate intervention. The girl was rescued and placed under protective care, while the suspects were taken into custody,” the police stated.
The case has been transferred to the Gender-Based Offences Unit for further investigation, with authorities assuring that the suspects would be prosecuted upon conclusion of the probe.
The police attributed the success of the operation to collaboration between security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army, which they said has enhanced intelligence sharing and swift response.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for crimes involving children and other vulnerable groups.
He assured residents that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
Lawal also urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while advising transport operators to properly document and verify passengers, especially minors.
He called on members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities involving children to security agencies, reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling human trafficking and related offences.
