Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a suspected human trafficker, Ese Betty Isiorho, 26, and rescued a 25-year-old trafficking victim from Côte d’Ivoire.
The suspect allegedly lured the victim to Côte d’Ivoire under the false pretence of offering her an opportunity to learn hairdressing.
The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the arrest followed a petition alleging that the suspect deceived the victim with the promise of enrolling her in a hairdressing apprenticeship in Côte d’Ivoire.
He said investigations revealed that upon arriving in the West African country, the victim was allegedly forced into prostitution.
Edafe said operatives of the Effurun Area Command arrested the suspect, who allegedly confessed during interrogation to trafficking the 25-year-old victim and another woman in her twenties to Côte d’Ivoire.
According to him, the victims were handed over to a woman identified simply as Madam Purity for the purpose of prostitution.
He said following sustained investigations and collaboration with relevant agencies, the 25-year-old victim was rescued and returned to Nigeria.
Edafe added that the victim had since been reunited with her family and was receiving medical attention.
He said efforts were ongoing to secure the safe return of the second victim and apprehend other members of the trafficking syndicate.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious recruitment schemes and suspected human trafficking activities to the police.