Enugu Police Uncovers Alleged Prostitution-Linked Trafficking Ring, Rescue Victim
The Enugu State Police Command has uncovered a suspected transnational human trafficking operation allegedly linked to prostitution, leading to the arrest of a 50-year-old woman and the rescue of a 20-year-old female victim.
According to the statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer SP Daniel Ndukwe, the suspect identified as Ibekwe Nkiru, was arrested on January 16, 2026, by operatives of the Igbo-Eze South Police Division, following what the police described as swift action based on credible intelligence. The victim, whose identity was withheld for security reasons, has since been rescued and reunited with her family.
Preliminary investigations the statement said, revealed that the victim, a native of Abia State, was allegedly lured into the scheme after being deceived into resigning from her job in Aba with the promise of a more lucrative employment opportunity in Senegal. The purported job offer, police said, later turned out to be prostitution-related.
The Command disclosed that on the same day, at about 7:10 p.m., the suspect allegedly took the victim to a shrine located in Alor-Agu Community, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State. The visit was reportedly carried out on the instruction of other members of the trafficking syndicate who are currently at large, with the intention of subjecting the victim to an oath-taking ritual ahead of the planned trafficking to Senegal.
However, acting on the intelligence received at about 8:00 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the area reportedly mobilised a team of operatives to the location, where the suspect was arrested and the victim rescued.
The police confirmed that the victim was subsequently debriefed and safely reunited with her family, while investigations are ongoing to dismantle the suspected trafficking network and apprehend other individuals connected to the crime.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to take over the case and ensure that all persons involved are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on human trafficking, prostitution, and other related crimes, assuring the public of the police’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and dignity. He also called on residents to continue to support the police with timely and credible information that could help in preventing and combating crime across the state.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
