Ghanaian police rescued 57 Nigerians trafficked into the country and arrested five suspects running a cybercrime and human trafficking network, authorities confirmed Thursday, October 23.
On Wednesday, October 22, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) raided a building in a suburb of Accra, where victims aged 18 to 26 were forced to participate in online romance scams. During the raid, police seized 77 laptops, 38 mobile phones, two vehicles, three televisions, and other internet-enabled devices.
The suspects lured victims with promises of lucrative jobs in Ghana. Upon arrival, the victims engaged in online scams and other illegal activities under coercion, police said.
Authorities are providing care and support to the rescued victims, but they did not specify when the victims will return to Nigeria.
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Human trafficking for online scams and prostitution remains a serious problem in Ghana. The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection reported 79 prosecutions and 54 convictions between 2023 and 2024.
Last month, Interpol coordinated a continent-wide crackdown, arresting 260 people across 14 African countries.
These suspects ran romance and extortion scams targeting over 1,400 victims, who lost nearly $2.8 million.
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Ghanaian police arrested 68 people, accused of tricking victims with fake identities and secretly recording explicit videos for blackmail.
Authorities say the operation highlights the ongoing challenge of cybercrime and human trafficking in West Africa.
They continue to pursue networks exploiting vulnerable individuals for financial gain.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
