By Esther Ibe, Owerri
The Enugu State Police Command has uncovered a transnational human trafficking syndicate involved in prostitution, leading to the detention of a 50-year-old suspect and the rescue of a 20-year-old female victim.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the suspect was arrested on January 16 by operatives of the Igbo-Eze South Police Division following credible intelligence.
According to Ndukwe, preliminary investigations revealed that the victim, a native of Abia State, was allegedly deceived into resigning from her job in Aba with the promise of a better-paying job in Senegal. The offer later turned out to be prostitution-related.
He said the suspect, who operates from Amorji-Nike in Enugu, allegedly took the victim to a shrine in Alor-Agu community, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, where she was made to swear an oath of allegiance ahead of the planned trafficking to Senegal. The action was reportedly carried out on the instruction of other members of the syndicate, who are currently at large.
“Upon receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer promptly led a team of operatives to the location, where the suspect was arrested and the victim rescued,” Ndukwe said.
The victim has since been debriefed and reunited with her family, while investigations continue to dismantle the syndicate and apprehend other suspects involved.
Ndukwe added that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to ensure that all those connected with the crime are arrested and prosecuted.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating human trafficking and related crimes, and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police.