NAPTIP nabs two men for trafficking daughters to Libya

The Ogun State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is investigating two men for allegedly trafficking their 15-year-old daughters through the Sahara Desert to Libya for child labour.

The state commander, Bose Jimoh, identified the suspects on Thursday as Akinsanya Oladimeji, 55, and Kehinde Rasheed, 45, whose daughters — Adeola and Rokibat Adeyemi — were taken to Libya in 2024 and received there by Afusat Akinsanya, wife of one of the suspects and mother of Adeola, who had been living in Libya since 2018.

One of the two girls did not survive. Jimoh said Rasheed, a widower, claimed that in February 2025, Afusat called to inform him that his daughter, Rokibat, had died from illness.

Rasheed allegedly attempted to conceal his daughter’s death until sustained pressure from the family of his late wife — who were demanding to know Rokibat’s whereabouts — forced him to admit what had happened. The aggrieved relatives subsequently reported the matter to the police, who arrested both men and transferred the case to NAPTIP.

“The circumstances surrounding the mysterious death of the 15-year-old daughter of Kehinde Rasheed would be unravelled, while efforts are also ongoing to ensure the safe return and repatriation of the second 15-year-old victim who is still in Libya,” Jimoh said.

She added that investigation was ongoing to ensure both suspects were held accountable.