The Ghanaian government has handed over 231 Nigerians rescued from an alleged human trafficking and cybercrime ring to Nigerian authorities.
Speaking at the handover in Lagos on Friday, Chairman, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, confirmed that the victims, mostly young men and women, were trafficked into Ghana under false pretenses and used for cyber fraud.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasised the need for state governments to support their indigenes upon return. “The largest number from this particular group is from Edo State, 76 individuals. Others come from states like Anambra (6), Delta (17), Bayelsa (13), Imo (19), Enugu (12), Ebonyi (8), Cross River (7), Abia (9), Niger (4), Akwa Ibom (3), Kogi (6), Ondo (1), and Osun (1). We appeal to the state governors to work with NAPTIP to aid these victims, noting that 12 of them are minors.”
Dabiri-Erewa called for more awareness, stricter enforcement, and regional cooperation, noting that the ECOWAS protocol on free movement was being exploited by traffickers.
“We must name and shame the traffickers. These are evil people. If these boys knew what they were going into, many would not have gone. We need massive awareness campaigns, and the media must help us spread the message,” she urged.
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking Persons (NAPTIP) Zonal Coordinator Lagos, Comfort Agboko, said some of the rescued individuals were trafficked and used for internet fraud. EFCC has been contacted and suspects among them will be handed over after internal investigation.
She added that the agency would provide immediate medical attention to victims and ensure rehabilitation through its profiling and reintegration processes.
According to the Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) staff officer, Dominic Mensah, an informant reported that a section of an estate comprising about 50 houses was being used by suspected Nigerian traffickers for cyber fraud. Surveillance confirmed that 26 houses were involved.
“We launched a simultaneous raid Operation Rescue Shieldon all 26 houses at 3:30 a.m., with support from the Ghana Police Service and National Security. We arrested 233 individuals. After screening, we identified the victims and suspects, and released those not connected to the crimes.”
Mensah disclosed that some of the victims had lived under captivity for up to five years, while others had just arrived days before the raid.
He revealed that the suspected ringleaders, referred to as “chairmen,” operate from Nigeria and use local agents in Ghana to manage the trafficked individuals.
“The suspects arrested were fronting for these chairmen. They ensured that new recruits didn’t escape and carried out the illicit activities. The owner of the estate is also under investigation for aiding and abetting the syndicate,” he added.
