Nigerian Police rescue 31 Ghanaians trafficked under false pretence of European jobs

At least 31 Ghanaians trafficked into Nigeria under the guise of securing employment opportunities in Europe have been rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

The victims, who were reportedly misled with deceptive job offers, were later coerced into engaging in fraudulent internet marketing schemes tied to the QNET network.

In a statement released by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police disclosed that the rescue operation was conducted through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja.

“The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has once again recorded a significant breakthrough in the fight against transnational organised crimes such as human trafficking and transnational cybercrime, following two major operations that led to the rescue of forty-six (46) trafficked victims and the arrest of seven (7) suspects involved in cross-border criminal activities.”

According to the statement, the rescue followed a tip-off from INTERPOL NCB Accra, which led to the interception of 31 victims trafficked from Ghana into Nigeria. Investigations revealed that in August 2024, one Samuel Dankwah Opoku, a Ghanaian national, was deceived by an individual named George Tenkron, who promised him employment in Spain.

Upon arrival in Nigeria, Opoku became entangled in QNET’s alleged fraudulent operations, having paid GHC 30,000 to one Attah Amankwaah, a Ghanaian residing in Nigeria and identified as a key member of the 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… This syndicate specializes in manipulating and confining individuals into exploitative online marketing scams under duress and false obligations.”

The police arrested six suspects, including Amankwaah, and recovered incriminating materials during a raid on the syndicate’s operational base. Victims’ testimonies and confessions from suspects reportedly exposed a broader network of cross-border internet fraud and human trafficking.

The rescued individuals were subsequently handed over to the Ghana High Commission in Abuja for repatriation and reintegration.

In a related development, INTERPOL NCB Abuja also responded to a separate distress call on June 17, 2025, concerning four Ghanaian nationals trafficked by a 39-year-old suspect, Achiaa Grace Afrifa. Investigations revealed she had fraudulently collected GHC 126,000 from victims under the pretense of securing jobs.

Afrifa was arrested the following day at her residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where police also rescued 15 victims 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.”

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised the swift coordination between Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities and pledged the police force’s continued resolve in fighting cross-border organized crime.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, commends the swift and collaborative efforts of INTERPOL, the Ghana High Commission, and all operatives involved, and reiterates the unyielding resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to uphold human rights, ensure justice, and strengthen transnational law enforcement cooperation in tackling organized crime across borders.”