The Enugu State Police Command has uncovered a suspected transnational human trafficking scheme linked to prostitution, arresting a 50-year-old woman, Ibekwe Nkiru, and rescuing a 20-year-old female victim.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday night by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe.
According to the statement, the arrest and rescue were carried out on January 16, 2026, by operatives attached to the Igbo-Eze South Police Division, following what the police described as “swift action on credible intelligence.”
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim, a native of Abia State, was allegedly deceived into resigning from her job in Aba after being promised a more lucrative employment opportunity in Senegal.
“The promised job later turned out to be prostitution-related,” the police said.
The police further disclosed that on the same day, at about 7:10 p.m., the suspect, who operates from the Amorji-Nike area of Enugu, allegedly took the victim to a shrine in Alor-Agu Community, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Enugu State.
According to the police, the visit to the shrine was carried out on the instructions of other members of the trafficking syndicate, who are currently at large, for the victim to swear an oath of allegiance ahead of the planned trafficking to Senegal.
“Upon receiving the information at about 8:00 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer promptly led a team of operatives to the location, where the suspect was arrested and the victim rescued,” the statement said.
The police said the rescued victim has since been debriefed and reunited with her family, while investigations are ongoing to dismantle the entire trafficking network and apprehend other suspects connected to the crime.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case and ensure that all persons involved are identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“He reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating human trafficking, prostitution and other related crimes,” the statement added.
The police commissioner also appealed to members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to assist the police in preventing and detecting crime across the state.
The command assured residents of its resolve to protect vulnerable persons and bring perpetrators of human trafficking and similar offences to justice.
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