Delta Police Arrest Suspected Human Trafficker, Rescue 25 Year Old Victim
The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 26 year old woman over alleged human trafficking and rescued a 25 year old victim who was reportedly lured to Côte d’Ivoire with the promise of learning hairdressing but was instead forced into prostitution.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the arrest followed a petition alleging that the suspect, Ese Betty Isiorho, deceived the victim with the offer of vocational training abroad.
According to the police, investigations revealed that after arriving in Côte d’Ivoire, the victim was allegedly forced into commercial sex work.
Operatives of the Effurun Area Command arrested the suspect, who reportedly confessed to trafficking the victim and another young woman to Côte d’Ivoire. The police alleged that both women were handed over to a woman identified as Madam Purity for prostitution.
The Command said sustained investigations and collaboration with relevant partners led to the successful rescue of one of the victims, who has since returned to Nigeria, reunited with her family, and is receiving medical attention.
Police added that efforts are ongoing to rescue the second victim, who is still believed to be in Côte d’Ivoire, and to arrest other members of the suspected trafficking syndicate.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating human trafficking and other forms of organised crime.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious recruitment offers and suspected human trafficking activities to the police.
