Police foil human trafficking attempt, save two women

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Police Command in Enugu State has detained a transnational human trafficking suspect, one Raymond Wonna, 30, while he was en route to Ghana with two young female victims.

The rescued victims, both aged 18, are from Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Thursday in Enugu.

Ndukwe said the suspect and his victims were intercepted on July 30 by operatives of the Crack Tactical Squad during a routine patrol along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were being trafficked to Ghana under the pretense of securing job opportunities—without the knowledge or consent of their parents or relatives.

The suspect, who claimed to be a casual labourer, had lured the victims from Ogoja, Cross River State, with promises of employment in a restaurant in Ghana.

“Further findings indicate that the suspect also attempted to rape the victims while lodging them in a hotel, where they were kept pending departure,” Ndukwe stated.

He added that the victims had been safely returned home and reunited with their families, while efforts were ongoing to track down other members of the trafficking network.

The spokesman noted that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their vigilance and swift intervention.

He also said the Commissioner had ordered a thorough investigation and the timely prosecution of the case, while urging personnel to sustain their momentum.

“The Command remains committed to combating human trafficking and other violent crimes,” Ndukwe emphasized.

He further urged citizens to stay alert and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or call the Command’s Control Room via 08032003702 or 08086671202, or the Enugu State Command-and-Control Centre on 112.

(NAN)