The Delta State Police Command has uncovered a disturbing case of human trafficking involving a 19-year-old girl who was allegedly taken to Ivory Coast and subjected to a medical procedure that resulted in the removal of her womb without her consent.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Yemi Oyeniyi, disclosed the incident during a first-quarter briefing held in Asaba. He said two suspects connected to the case have been arrested and are currently in police custody, while investigations continue.
According to the police chief, the case came to light on April 3, 2026, following a report made by the victim’s mother, a resident of Ekpan community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. The mother had raised concerns after noticing that her daughter, who had come to visit her, appeared seriously ill.
The young girl, whose identity has been withheld, reportedly lives with her father in Okpaka but had travelled to see her mother in Ekpan. Her frail condition prompted questions, leading her to reveal a troubling story of exploitation and abuse.
Police said the victim narrated that sometime in September 2025, she and two of her friends were approached by a woman identified as Blessing Mongo, aged 47. Mongo allegedly introduced them to another woman, Esther, aged 32, who then connected them to a third suspect, Onome, aged 36. The trio were said to have arranged for the girls to be trafficked to Ivory Coast under the promise of better opportunities.
Human trafficking remains a major concern in Nigeria, with many young women and girls often lured with promises of jobs or a better life abroad, only to end up in exploitative situations, including forced prostitution. Experts and agencies have repeatedly warned about the tactics used by traffickers to deceive vulnerable individuals.
In this case, the victim told police that shortly after arriving in Ivory Coast, her ordeal took a more frightening turn. She said she was injected with an unknown substance and taken to a hospital. When she regained consciousness, she noticed that her abdomen had been bandaged, suggesting that a surgical procedure had been carried out.
The full extent of what happened only became clear after she returned to Nigeria. According to the police, the suspect later brought her back to the country but abandoned her in Lagos, leaving her to find her way home. Despite her condition, she managed to travel back to Delta State, where she eventually reunited with her mother.
Following the report, the police moved swiftly to track down those involved. Two suspects, Blessing Mongo and Esther, were arrested and taken into custody. The case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further probe.
During the course of the investigation, a medical examination was conducted on the victim. The results confirmed the worst fears: her womb had been removed without her consent.
“This is a very serious and disturbing case,” Commissioner Oyeniyi said, adding that the police are committed to ensuring that all those involved are brought to justice.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the activities of human trafficking networks operating within and outside Nigeria. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has in the past highlighted similar cases where victims are subjected to abuse, exploitation, and even organ-related crimes.
While the police have not yet confirmed the exact motive behind the removal of the victim’s womb, experts say such acts could be linked to illegal medical practices or other forms of exploitation. The case is expected to be investigated further to uncover all those involved, including possible collaborators outside Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command used the same briefing to address another issue affecting the state—land disputes. Commissioner Oyeniyi announced that the command will no longer involve itself in such matters, following repeated accusations that some police officers were being used by land grabbers to harass and intimidate opponents.
Land disputes are common in many parts of Nigeria, often leading to conflicts between families, communities, and even corporate entities. In some cases, individuals accused of land grabbing allegedly use security agencies to gain an advantage, leading to public complaints and loss of trust.
Oyeniyi said the police have taken note of these concerns and have decided to take a firm stance.
“There have been many incidents where policemen were accused of being used by desperate land grabbers as tools for intimidating their opponents. We have to put a stop to such illegal interventions,” he said.
He stressed that the police will no longer intervene in purely civil matters, including disputes over land ownership. Instead, affected parties are advised to seek redress through the courts, which are better equipped to handle such issues.
However, the police boss made it clear that the command will continue to perform its constitutional duty of maintaining law and order. He warned that any individual or group that resorts to violence in the course of a dispute will be dealt with according to the law.
“It is the responsibility of the police to protect life and property and maintain peace. We will not tolerate any form of violence, no matter the circumstances,” he added.
He urged residents of Delta State to remain law-abiding and to avoid taking the law into their own hands, stressing that peaceful resolution of disputes is key to maintaining stability in the state.
The twin developments—the shocking trafficking case and the new policy on land disputes—highlight the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing both criminal and civil issues. While the trafficking case underscores the need for stronger action against organised crime, the decision on land disputes reflects efforts to rebuild public trust and ensure that the police operate within their proper role.
As investigations continue into the trafficking case, many Nigerians are calling for stricter measures to protect vulnerable individuals and to dismantle trafficking networks. For the young victim, the focus now remains on recovery and justice, as authorities work to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.