Police Rescues  46  Trafficked Victims, Arrests  Seven Suspects For Human Trafficking, Cyber Fraud

The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has once again recorded a significant breakthrough in the fight against transnational organised crimes such as human trafficking and transnational cybercrime, following two major operations that led to the rescue of forty-six (46) trafficked victims and the arrest of seven (7) suspects involved in cross-border criminal activities.

In a coordinated operation based on a message received from INTERPOL NCB Accra, operatives of INTERPOL NCB have successfully rescued thirty-one (31) victims who had been trafficked from Ghana to Nigeria under the false pretense of securing employment opportunities in Europe. The victims, lured by deceptive promises, were later coerced into fraudulent internet marketing activities linked to 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. 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 (GHC 30,000) to one Attah Amankwaah, a Ghanaian residing in Nigeria and a known member of the QNET network. This syndicate specializes in manipulating and confining individuals into exploitative online marketing scams under duress and false obligations.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force apprehended six (6) suspects, including Attah Amankwaah, and uncovered incriminating materials during a raid at their operational base. 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 Abuja for safe repatriation and reintegration, with the assurance of continued consular and welfare support in line with international best practices.

In a related development, on the 17th of June at about 2:13 PM, the INTERPOL NCB received a distress request regarding four (4) Ghanaian nationals reportedly trafficked into Nigeria by one Achiaa Grace Afrifa, a 39-year-old female suspect. Investigations revealed that Afrifa fraudulently obtained the sum of 126,000 Ghanaian Cedis from her victims under the guise of securing employment opportunities. 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.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, commends the swift and collaborative efforts of INTERPOL, the Ghana High Commission, and all operatives involved, and reiterates the unyielding resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to uphold human rights, ensure justice, and strengthen transnational law enforcement cooperation in tackling organized crime across borders.

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