By Seun Ibiyemi
The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested four suspected members of a cross-border criminal syndicate and rescued 24 victims from illegal camps in Itoga, Badagry, in what authorities described as a major breakthrough in the fight against human trafficking and related crimes.
The suspects, including an alleged kingpin and three foreign nationals from the Republics of Togo, Benin and Ghana, were apprehended by NSCDC operatives following a coordinated intelligence-led operation carried out on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Adedotun Keshinro, attributed the successful operation to enhanced community engagement and effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders, in line with the directive of the Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to strengthen intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation against persistent security threats.
According to the Command, operatives acting on credible and actionable intelligence stormed various black spots and hideouts in Itoga, Badagry, where the suspects were allegedly holding victims under deplorable conditions.
Among those rescued were 24 victims comprising 18 males and six females, including a toddler.
The victims, identified as nationals of Togo and Benin Republic as well as a Nigerian from Imo State, were reportedly lured into the camps through false promises, inducements and other deceptive means.
Preliminary investigations revealed that some of the victims had been declared missing by their families for periods ranging from three months to as long as three years, while being secretly held captive by the syndicate.
The NSCDC disclosed that the suspects allegedly compelled victims to place deceptive phone calls to relatives, falsely claiming they had been kidnapped, abducted or involved in accidents in order to extort money and ransom payments from unsuspecting family members.
Investigators also uncovered allegations that the victims were forced to participate in fraudulent activities, drug trafficking and the recruitment of additional victims into the criminal network.
In a dramatic twist, some family members reportedly turned to traditional methods, including sacrifices at shrines and rivers, after conventional efforts to locate their missing relatives failed.
Information obtained through those efforts reportedly contributed to intelligence that aided the eventual arrest of the suspects.
Keshinro appealed to members of the public to come forward and identify any of the rescued individuals who may be among relatives or loved ones previously reported missing.
He assured residents that the suspects would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
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“The suspects will be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction and made to face the full weight of the law.
This will serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements operating within the state,” the Commandant stated.
The operation marks another significant success in the Lagos State Command’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, organized crime and other security challenges across the state.
