What began as the promise of a better future for a 25-year-old woman ended in an alleged trafficking and sexual exploitation ordeal in Côte d’Ivoire before she was rescued and reunited with her family.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old woman, Ese Betty Isiorho, over her alleged involvement in a human trafficking scheme.

The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the suspect was arrested after a petition alleged that she lured the victim to Côte d’Ivoire with the promise of enrolling her in a hairdressing apprenticeship.

According to Edafe, operatives of the Effurun Area Command acted swiftly on the petition, leading to Isiorho’s arrest. During interrogation, she allegedly confessed to trafficking the rescued victim and another woman, also in her twenties, to Côte d’Ivoire.

Police said the suspect claimed both women were handed over to a woman identified only as “Madam Purity,” who allegedly forced them into prostitution.

Through intelligence gathering and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, the police said they rescued the 25-year-old victim and facilitated her safe return to Nigeria.

Edafe said the victim has since been reunited with her family and is receiving medical care and psychosocial support to aid her recovery.

He assured that the suspect would be prosecuted as soon as investigations are concluded.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Edafe said the police were handling the case with the seriousness it deserves and were determined to ensure justice is served.

He explained that investigators are carrying out an extensive probe to uncover the full trafficking network, stressing that human trafficking cases require painstaking investigations to identify all those involved and gather sufficient evidence for prosecution.

“As soon as the investigation is completed, the suspect will be charged to court. For now, she remains in police custody,” he said.

Edafe disclosed that efforts are ongoing to rescue the second victim, who is believed to still be in Côte d’Ivoire, while investigators continue working to dismantle the trafficking syndicate and arrest other suspects linked to the operation.

He also warned young Nigerians and their families to be cautious of fraudulent overseas job and vocational training offers, noting that traffickers often use such promises to lure unsuspecting victims.

The police spokesperson urged those seeking opportunities abroad to verify recruitment claims through the appropriate government agencies and report suspicious activities promptly, assuring that everyone found culpable in the ongoing investigation would face the full weight of the law.