Police rescue 45 human trafficking victims in Lagos

The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, has rescued 45 victims of human trafficking, and arrested many suspects linked to alleged fraud and infrastructure vandalism.

The department also uncovered a large cache of counterfeit cosmetic products in a series of operations conducted over the last three months.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of FCID Annex Lagos, Simeon Akpanuodom, made this disclosure during a press briefing on the command’s activities between March 30 and June 25, 2026.

According to the AIG, the department received 1,762 petitions during the period under review, with 1,725 assigned for investigation and 56 cases already concluded and processed in various courts.

Akpanuodom said the department’s INTERPOL unit recorded significant successes in combating human trafficking, rescuing 45 victims and arresting four suspected traffickers.

The unit also apprehended four individuals on international watchlists and Red Notices, secured the arrest and return of two suspects from abroad and facilitated the repatriation of three persons.

“In another major operation, detectives uncovered hundreds of cartons of suspected counterfeit cosmetic products following a petition over the illegal importation and counterfeiting of a popular skincare product known as Baby Secret Cream.

“Investigators traced the operation to warehouses within the Trade Fair Market area of Lagos, where 331 cartons of products believed to be counterfeit were recovered”, he stated

The AIG further said some distributors and peddlers of the products had been arrested and were assisting investigators in tracking down additional storage facilities and the alleged mastermind behind the counterfeiting network, who remains at large.

He also announced the arrest of a 22-year-old woman and a nurse over allegations of obtaining money by false pretense, conspiracy and illegal procurement of abortion.

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