Operatives of the National Central Bureau in Abuja have successfully rescued 46 victims of trafficking and apprehended seven suspects linked to the crime and cyber fraud.

The operation, conducted in collaboration with INTERPOL and the Ghana High Commission, involved two coordinated efforts. In the first operation, 31 victims were rescued after being lured from Ghana to Nigeria with false promises of job opportunities in Europe. Investigations revealed that these victims were coerced into fraudulent online marketing activities operated by the QNET network.

One victim, Samuel Dankwah Opoku, was deceived into paying 30,000 Ghanaian Cedis to a known QNET member in Nigeria. The police discovered that this syndicate manipulates individuals into exploitative online scams under duress.

Further investigations led to the arrest of six suspects during a raid on their operational base, where incriminating evidence was found, revealing a wider network involved in human trafficking and cyber fraud. The rescued individuals have been handed over to the Ghana High Commission for repatriation and support.

In a related incident, four Ghanaian nationals were trafficked to Nigeria by Achiaa Grace Afrifa, who extorted 126,000 Ghanaian Cedis from her victims. She was arrested in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and 15 victims were rescued from her custody.

All seven suspects are currently in custody and will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the swift response of INTERPOL and emphasized the commitment to dismantling trafficking syndicates and combating cybercrime.