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.
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