Nigerian Police Rescue 40 Ghanaian Nationals from Trafficking Syndicate in Ondo, Arrest Three Suspects
In a significant breakthrough against transnational human trafficking, the Nigeria Police Force has rescued a group of Ghanaian nationals from the grip of a dangerous trafficking syndicate operating in Ondo State.
The operation, spearheaded by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Force Intelligence Department, led to the rescue of 40 Ghanaian victims and the arrest of three suspected traffickers.
The victims, mostly young individuals, had been lured into Nigeria under the pretense of securing employment or better opportunities abroad.
According to police reports, many of them were deceived with false promises of jobs in Europe, romantic relationships on social media platforms such as Facebook, or assistance with visa processing. Instead, they found themselves trapped in forced labor, cybercrime, and, in some cases, human bondage.
The IRT, acting on intelligence and in coordination with international partners including INTERPOL and Ghanaian law enforcement, raided the hideout where the victims were being held.
The suspects arrested were identified as Emeka Christian, Peter Okoye, and a third unnamed individual. They are believed to be key operatives in a wider trafficking network with connections across West Africa.
Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated that the victims were rescued in good health and have since been placed under protective custody.
Medical care and support services are being provided while arrangements are made for their safe repatriation in collaboration with the Ghanaian authorities.
Further investigations revealed that the syndicate employed multiple tactics, including social engineering via online platforms, to entrap unsuspecting individuals.
Some victims were reportedly held until ransom payments were made by relatives or friends in Ghana.
This operation follows a broader anti-trafficking effort led by the Nigeria Police in June, during which 46 Ghanaian nationals were rescued from similar criminal rings operating across Nigeria, and seven additional suspects were apprehended.
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, lauded the Intelligence Response Team for its swift action and reaffirmed the force’s commitment to tackling human trafficking and cyber-enabled crime. He also emphasized the importance of international collaboration in addressing crimes that transcend borders.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, especially those involving foreign nationals under questionable circumstances.
The suspects are expected to face prosecution under Nigeria’s anti-trafficking laws, as investigations continue into the full extent of the syndicate’s operations.
This case underscores the growing threat of human trafficking and cybercrime in West Africa, and the urgent need for tighter border control, digital surveillance, and regional cooperation to stem the tide of modern slavery.
