Ogun State NAPTIP Command Investigates Fathers Over Alleged Trafficking of Teenage Daughters to Libya

The Ogun State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has launched a high-level investigation into a disturbing case of human trafficking involving two men who allegedly sent their 15-year-old daughters on a perilous journey through the Sahara Desert to Libya. The suspects, 55-year-old Akinsanya Oladimeji and 45-year-old Kehinde Rasheed, are currently in custody following allegations that they orchestrated the migration of their own children, Adeola and Rokibat Adeyemi, for the purpose of child labor. This case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the persistent and often hidden dangers of human trafficking networks that exploit familial ties to facilitate illegal movement across international borders.

Bose Jimoh, the NAPTIP Commander for Ogun State, confirmed the development in an official statement released on Thursday. According to preliminary findings, the two girls were transported to Libya in 2024, where they were allegedly received by Afusat Akinsanya, the wife of Oladimeji and the mother of one of the victims. The situation took a tragic turn in early 2025 when news reached Nigeria that one of the teenagers, Rokibat Adeyemi, had died while in Libya.

Chronology of the Alleged Exploitation

The sequence of events, as reconstructed by NAPTIP investigators and local law enforcement, suggests a calculated effort to move the teenagers out of Nigeria under the guise of seeking better economic opportunities.

In early 2024, the two fathers reportedly coordinated the logistics for the travel of their daughters. The journey, which involved crossing the harsh Saharan terrain—a route notorious for high mortality rates, dehydration, and human rights abuses—was completed successfully. Upon their arrival in Libya, the teenagers were placed in the custody of Afusat Akinsanya. Official records indicate that Afusat had been residing in Libya since 2018, establishing a base that allegedly served as a conduit for the exploitation of young girls from their home state.

The concealment of the tragedy began in February 2025. Kehinde Rasheed, who is a widower, reportedly received a phone call from Afusat informing him that his daughter, Rokibat, had succumbed to an illness. Rather than reporting the death to the appropriate authorities or the victim’s extended family, Rasheed allegedly attempted to keep the information hidden. It was only after sustained pressure from the maternal family of the deceased—who became increasingly suspicious regarding the whereabouts and silence of the 15-year-old—that Rasheed was forced to disclose the incident. Following the admission, the family reported the matter to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), which subsequently transferred the case to the specialized jurisdiction of NAPTIP for a more comprehensive investigation.

Supporting Data and the Reality of Human Trafficking

The plight of Adeola and Rokibat is not an isolated incident but rather a grim reflection of a broader, systemic issue. According to the 2023 Global Estimates of Modern Slavery report, thousands of individuals are trafficked across North African routes annually. Libya, in particular, remains a primary destination and transit point for migrants and victims of trafficking from sub-Saharan Africa.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has repeatedly warned that children are increasingly vulnerable to "forced labor migration" schemes. Data suggests that approximately 20% of trafficking victims globally are children, and in regions like Southwest Nigeria, socioeconomic pressures often serve as a catalyst for parents to fall prey to traffickers’ promises of wealth. NAPTIP reports indicate that the "family-led trafficking" phenomenon is a growing concern, where parents or guardians are coerced or incentivized by organized criminal syndicates to surrender their children for domestic servitude or forced labor.

The journey through the desert represents one of the most dangerous migration paths in the world. Beyond the risk of death from exposure, victims often face physical violence, sexual exploitation, and severe psychological trauma. The death of the 15-year-old victim serves as a somber reminder of the lethal consequences inherent in these illicit migration patterns.

Official Response and Legal Implications

The transition of the case from the Nigeria Police Force to NAPTIP signifies the gravity with which the government views this incident. NAPTIP is the primary agency empowered to enforce the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act. Under this legal framework, the suspects face severe penalties, including lengthy imprisonment and the forfeiture of assets gained through criminal activities.

Commander Bose Jimoh has been clear regarding the agency’s objectives: "The case was handed over to NAPTIP by the NPF for a thorough investigation. We are currently working to ensure the suspects are held accountable for their actions. We are committed to unraveling the circumstances surrounding the mysterious death of Kehinde Rasheed’s daughter."

Furthermore, NAPTIP has initiated diplomatic and logistical efforts to locate and repatriate the second victim, Adeola, who remains in Libya. The repatriation process involves coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international partners, such as the IOM, to ensure the teenager’s safe return to her home state. The agency’s focus remains on gathering evidence to ensure that if the suspects are found guilty, they face the full extent of the law, serving as a deterrent to others who might consider engaging in similar acts of child endangerment.

Societal Implications and Root Causes

The involvement of parents in the trafficking of their own children raises profound questions about the socioeconomic stressors in Nigeria. Poverty, lack of access to education, and the allure of remittances from abroad often create a dangerous intersection where the protection of a child is traded for potential financial gain.

Sociologists and child protection advocates argue that this case underscores the necessity for community-based awareness programs. When parents believe that sending a child abroad is a viable pathway to prosperity, they are often blind to the predatory nature of the recruiters. The "facilitators" in Libya, such as the woman identified in this case, often operate within a network that relies on trust, which is then weaponized against the victims.

Furthermore, the "cover-up" attempted by the father suggests a level of fear—not just of the law, but potentially of the traffickers themselves. This dynamic is a common feature in human trafficking, where perpetrators often maintain control over the families of their victims through threats or the promise of future payments. The pressure exerted by the maternal family in this case was the crucial mechanism that broke the silence, highlighting the importance of community vigilance in identifying and reporting missing persons or suspicious activities.

The Path Forward

As the investigation continues, NAPTIP is expected to look deeper into the network that enabled these teenagers to leave the country. This includes investigating travel agencies, agents, and local contacts who facilitate the movement of individuals across the borders.

For the people of Ogun State, this incident has served as a wake-up call regarding the reach of human trafficking networks. It has prompted calls for more robust engagement from local government areas to monitor the movement of minors and to provide support systems for families facing extreme poverty, thereby reducing the vulnerability that traffickers exploit.

The investigation is ongoing, and as the agency works to secure the return of the surviving teenager, the legal proceedings against Oladimeji and Rasheed will likely become a landmark case in the fight against familial trafficking in Nigeria. The outcome will be closely watched by human rights organizations and law enforcement agencies alike, as it represents a critical opportunity to send a message that the exploitation of children, regardless of the perpetrator’s relationship to the victim, will be met with unwavering legal consequence. The focus remains on justice for the deceased, safety for the survivor, and the dismantling of the networks that facilitate these horrific crimes.