Ivorian security forces have dealt a major blow to sexual exploitation in the historic city of Grand-Bassam . An operation conducted by the Vice Squad , under the Abidjan Police Prefecture , led to the dismantling of a suspected human trafficking and pimping network operating in impoverished neighborhoods of the town.

According to a press release issued on Monday, January 26, 2026 by the General Directorate of the National Police (DGPN) , the intervention followed the exploitation of consistent information indicating the presence of young women held against their will and exploited for sexual purposes .

Twenty-one victims identified

Investigations conducted by specialized services led to the identification of twenty-one (21) young women , recognized as victims of these criminal practices. These women were allegedly held under duress, deprived of their liberty, and subjected to systematic exploitation for the benefit of the network.

The victims were taken to safety immediately after the operation and directed to the appropriate facilities for social, health and psychological support , in accordance with the procedures in force.

Three people implicated

At the conclusion of the investigation, three women were arrested for their alleged involvement in organizing and managing the network. They are NDA (42 years old) , MJ (28 years old) , and BNS (33 years old) . They are being prosecuted for human trafficking and pimping , offenses severely punished under Ivorian law.

The individuals arrested have been placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities for further proceedings.

A strengthened fight against human exploitation

This operation is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen the fight against organized crime , particularly human exploitation networks that target the most vulnerable people. Through this action, the national police reaffirm their commitment to dismantling these networks permanently and protecting victims.

The authorities are also calling on the public to cooperate with the security forces by reporting any suspicious activity, in order to contribute effectively to the eradication of these criminal practices.