Ondo State has accused the Nigerian police of attempting to cover up the trafficking of their teenage daughter, raising fresh concerns about the handling of human trafficking cases in the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The family, whose identity is being withheld to protect the victim, said their daughter was lured from their home earlier this year under false promises of employment. She was later discovered in another state, allegedly held against her will and forced into sex work.

According to the parents, when they reported the case to police in Akure, officers were slow to act and later gave conflicting accounts about the investigation. They said the traffickers have not been brought to justice, and some of the suspects were released without clear explanation.

“We feel abandoned and betrayed,” the girl’s mother said in an interview. “Instead of helping us get justice, the police are trying to bury the case.”

Alleged Police Inaction

The father of the victim said he first alerted police after his daughter disappeared in June. He provided details of the people who last saw her, but claimed officers failed to follow up.

Weeks later, the teenager was found in a brothel in Lagos during a raid by a non-governmental organization working against trafficking. The NGO contacted the family, who then urged local police to take over the case.

However, the family said the investigation stalled. “The suspects were known, yet the police acted as if nothing could be done,” the father said. “We began to suspect that something was being covered up.”

Police Response

The Ondo State Police Command denied any cover-up. In a statement, a spokesperson said officers are still investigating the case and urged the public to remain patient.

“Human trafficking is a serious offense, and we treat all reports with urgency,” the statement read. “The command is committed to ensuring justice for victims and will not shield any suspect from prosecution.”

The spokesperson did not confirm whether suspects had been released or whether officers linked to the case were under review.

Growing Concerns

Nigeria has long struggled with human trafficking, both within the country and across borders. Victims are often young women and girls promised jobs or education, only to be forced into sex work or labor.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) reported that more than 2,000 trafficking victims were rescued nationwide last year. But activists say many more cases go unreported or unresolved because of corruption, stigma, or fear of retaliation.

“This family’s story is not unusual,” said Esther Ige, a women’s rights advocate in Akure. “Too often, families who seek help from the authorities end up feeling silenced or ignored. That creates a dangerous cycle of impunity.”

Calls for Accountability

Civil society groups in Ondo State have demanded that police leadership review the handling of the case. They called for an independent panel to investigate the alleged release of suspects and to ensure that the victim receives protection.

“The community is watching closely,” said one activist. “If people lose trust in law enforcement, traffickers will only grow bolder.”

For the victim’s family, the focus remains on securing justice and preventing others from suffering the same fate. They said their daughter, now back at home, is receiving counseling but still struggles with trauma.

“She cries at night and asks why this happened to her,” the mother said. “We want her to heal, but we also want the people who did this to face the law.”

Advocates say the case highlights the need for stronger oversight of police investigations into trafficking. They also urge the government to provide more resources for victims and to improve coordination between police, NAPTIP, and civil society groups.

For now, the family continues to press for answers. “We will not be silent,” the father said. “Our daughter deserves justice, and we will fight for it until the truth comes out.”