The Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, has announced the arrest of suspected human traffickers and a cultist, along with the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and voter’s cards. Zonal spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police Ayuba Umma, stated that the arrests occurred in Ayobo, Ipaja (Lagos) and Ijebu-Ife (Ogun).
The human trafficking syndicate, allegedly led by Stella Edem, was dismantled on March 22 by the Zonal Intelligence Response Squad (ZIRS). Edem and Susan Michael were arrested at Command Meran, Lagos. Edem confessed to recruiting young women under 22 for sex work in Mauritania, claiming she was paid N50,000 per recruit by an individual named Anabel. She also admitted to sending her 19-year-old daughter and receiving over N500,000 in total.
Susan Michael admitted to being recruited by Edem to find domestic staff for Mauritania, but withdrew when she suspected the girls were being used for sex work. She claimed the only girl she sent was rejected due to her age and size.
In a separate operation in Ijebu-Ife, Ogun State, police arrested Orekoya Abayomi, 54, a suspected member of the Eiye cult, during a raid on their hideout on March 19. The raid, conducted by the Dragon Squad II (ZDS-II), followed intelligence reports of planned attacks. Recovered from Abayomi’s residence were a local single-barrel pistol, six live cartridges, 21 voter’s cards (suspected to be fake), and an Emerald Pump Action Gun.
Umma confirmed that investigations are ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court upon completion.
