The Nigeria Police Force has rescued 46 Ghanaian nationals trafficked into Nigeria and apprehended seven suspects linked to cross-border human trafficking and cyber fraud operations.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that the rescue efforts were the result of two coordinated operations led by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, aimed at combating transnational organized crimes.
One operation, conducted in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Accra, successfully rescued 31 victims who were trafficked from Ghana to Nigeria under the false promise of employment opportunities in Europe. Upon arrival, the victims were coerced into participating in fraudulent online marketing schemes associated with the QNET network.
Preliminary investigations revealed that in August 2024, a Ghanaian national, Samuel Dankwah Opoku, was deceived by a suspect, George Tenkron, with a fraudulent job offer in Spain. Opoku was directed to Nigeria, where he became entangled in QNET’s operations after paying GHC 30,000 to Attah Amankwaah, a Ghanaian residing in Nigeria and identified as a QNET associate.
Following credible intelligence, police operatives raided the suspects’ operational base, arresting six individuals, including Amankwaah, and recovering incriminating materials. Statements from victims and suspects uncovered a broader network involved in trafficking and online scams.
The rescued victims have since been handed over to the Ghana High Commission in Abuja for repatriation and reintegration in line with international protocols.
In a separate operation, the statement detailed an incident on June 17, 2025, where INTERPOL NCB received a distress alert regarding four Ghanaians trafficked by a 39-year-old woman, Achiaa Grace Afrifa. Afrifa allegedly collected GHC 126,000 from the victims under the guise of facilitating overseas job opportunities.
Afrifa was arrested the next day at No. 1 Ikot Ebido Street, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and 15 additional victims were rescued from her custody.
All seven suspects from both operations are in police custody and will face charges upon the conclusion of investigations.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun commended the swift and collaborative efforts of INTERPOL, the Ghana High Commission, and all operatives involved.
He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to dismantling trafficking syndicates, combating cybercrime, and strengthening international partnerships against organized crime.