The Delta State Police Command has arrested a suspected human trafficker and rescued a 25-year-old woman who was allegedly lured to Côte d’Ivoire under false pretences.

The arrest followed a petition alleging that the suspect, 26-year-old Ese Betty Isiorho, deceived the victim with the promise of learning hairdressing in the French-speaking country.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the victim was allegedly forced into prostitution upon arriving in Côte d’Ivoire.

The statement added that, acting swiftly on the petition, operatives of the Effurun Area Command arrested the suspect, who reportedly confessed to the crime.

She also allegedly confessed to trafficking another woman in her twenties to Côte d’Ivoire, where she handed the victims over to a woman identified only as Madam Purity for the purpose of prostitution.

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“Following sustained investigative efforts and collaboration, the 25-year-old victim was successfully rescued and returned to Nigeria.

“She has since been reunited with her family and is receiving medical attention.

“Efforts are ongoing to secure the safe return of the second victim, who is also in her twenties and is still believed to be in Côte d’Ivoire, as well as to apprehend other members of the trafficking syndicate,” the statement said.