Police arrest seven suspects, rescue 46 Ghanaians trafficked into Nigeria

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has rescued 46 victims of human trafficking.

In a statement on Thursday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, force public relations officer, said seven suspects involved in cross-border criminal activities were arrested during two major operations following a message received from INTERPOL NCB Accra.

Adejobi said 31 victims, who were lured from Ghana to Nigeria with promises of jobs in Europe, were rescued in the first operation.

He added that investigations showed the victims were coerced into fraudulent online marketing schemes operated by the QNET network.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that in August 2024, one Samuel Dankwah Opoku, a Ghanaian national, was deceived by one George Tenkron, who falsely assured him of employment in Spain,” the statement reads.

“Opoku was directed to travel to Nigeria, where he became ensnared in QNET’s fraudulent schemes. It was further uncovered that the victim had paid thirty thousand Ghanaian cedis (GHC30,000) to one Attah Amankwaah, a Ghanaian residing in Nigeria and a known member of the QNET network.

“This syndicate specialises in manipulating and confining individuals into exploitative online marketing scams under duress and false obligations.”

Adejobi said six suspects were arrested during a raid on the syndicate’s base, where operatives uncovered “incriminating” evidence linking them to cyber fraud and human trafficking.

“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force apprehended six suspects, including Attah Amankwaah, and uncovered incriminating materials during a raid at their operational base,” he said.

“Detailed statements obtained from both victims and suspects led to the exposure of a wider transnational human trafficking and internet fraud network. The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the Ghana High Commission.”

In a separate case on June 17, Adejobi said the bureau received an alert about four Ghanaian nationals trafficked to Nigeria by one Achiaa Grace Afrifa, 39.

“Investigations revealed that Afrifa fraudulently obtained the sum of 126,000 Ghanaian cedis from her victims under the guise of securing employment opportunities,” the force spokesperson said.

“Acting swiftly on intelligence, operatives tracked and arrested the suspect on the 18th of June 2025 at No.1 Ikot Ebido Street, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. During the operation, fifteen (15) victims were rescued from her custody.

“The seven suspects arrested in both operations are currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantling trafficking syndicates, combating cybercrime, and protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation.”

Adejobi said Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), commended INTERPOL’s swift intervention and the cooperation of the Ghanaian authorities.

He added that the IGP restated the force’s commitment to dismantling trafficking rings, fighting cybercrime, and safeguarding vulnerable individuals.