The Nigeria Police Force has broken up a human trafficking syndicate and freed 46 Ghanaians who were smuggled into the country.
Seven individuals connected to cross-border trafficking and cybercrime have been arrested in connection with the case.
Police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday.
He explained that the rescue was the result of two targeted operations led by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, aimed at curbing transnational organised crime.
According to Adejobi, one of the coordinated missions, carried out jointly with INTERPOL NCB Accra, led to the rescue of 31 victims.
These Ghanaians had been deceived with false promises of employment in Europe but were instead trafficked into Nigeria and forced to engage in online scams linked to the QNET network.
Investigations revealed that in August 2024, Samuel Opoku, a Ghanaian citizen, was tricked by George Tenkron, who falsely promised him a job in Spain.
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Opoku was then directed to Nigeria, where he became entangled in QNET’s fraudulent operations after paying GHC 30,000 to Attah Amankwaah, a Ghanaian based in Nigeria and identified as an associate of QNET.
Acting on reliable intelligence, police operatives arrested six suspects, including Amankwaah, during a raid that also uncovered various incriminating items.
Both victim and suspect testimonies pointed to a larger network involved in human trafficking and online fraud.
The police confirmed that the rescued Ghanaians have been handed over to the Ghana High Commission in Abuja for repatriation and rehabilitation, in line with international standards.
In a separate case, the police revealed that on 17 June 2025, INTERPOL NCB Abuja received an urgent alert regarding four Ghanaians believed to have been trafficked by 39-year-old Achiaa Grace Afrifa.
She reportedly extorted GHC 126,000 from the victims by falsely promising to secure jobs for them abroad.
Afrifa was arrested the following day, 18 June, at her residence on No. 1 Ikot Ebido Street in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Fifteen victims were also rescued from her location.
The seven suspects apprehended during both operations remain in police custody and will be prosecuted as soon as investigations are concluded.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the swift coordination between INTERPOL, the Ghana High Commission, and the various police units involved.
He reaffirmed the police’s unwavering commitment to breaking human trafficking rings, combating cybercrime, and strengthening international partnerships to fight organised criminal networks.
