The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 25-year-old woman believed to be a victim of human trafficking and arrested a 26-year-old suspect accused of luring young women to Côte d’Ivoire with false promises of vocational training. According to Punch News, the suspect allegedly exploited the victims by forcing them into prostitution after taking them abroad.
Police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe disclosed that the suspect, identified as Ese Betty Isiorho, was arrested by operatives of the Effurun Area Command following a petition alleging that she deceived the victim with the promise of learning hairdressing in Côte d’Ivoire.
Investigations revealed that after arriving in the foreign country, the victim was allegedly handed over for prostitution. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to trafficking the rescued woman and another victim in her twenties to a woman identified as Madam Purity, who allegedly coordinated the exploitation.
The police confirmed that the rescued victim has been safely returned to Nigeria, reunited with her family, and is currently receiving medical care. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the second victim, who is believed to still be in Côte d’Ivoire, and to apprehend other members of the trafficking network.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling human trafficking syndicates and prosecuting those responsible. He also urged the public to remain alert and report suspicious recruitment offers and trafficking-related activities to law enforcement authorities.
The latest development comes amid renewed efforts by the Delta State Government, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and development partners to combat human trafficking, with stakeholders warning that fake employment and vocational training offers are increasingly being used to exploit vulnerable people.
Source: Punch News
