The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, has rescued 46 victims of human trafficking in two separate operations linked to a cross-border syndicate.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement, revealing that 31 of the victims were trafficked from Ghana to Nigeria under false promises of employment in Europe. These individuals were coerced into participating in fraudulent online marketing schemes connected to the QNET network and so-called “green job” opportunities.
“Preliminary investigations uncovered that in August 2024, Samuel Dankwah Opoku, a Ghanaian national, was deceived by George Tenkron, who falsely promised him a job in Spain. Opoku was directed to Nigeria where he became trapped in QNET’s fraudulent operations,” Adejobi explained. Opoku had paid GHC 30,000 to Attah Amankwaah, a Ghanaian resident in Nigeria and a known QNET operative. The syndicate forces victims into exploitative online scams under duress and false pretenses.
Following credible intelligence, police arrested six suspects, including Amankwaah, and seized incriminating evidence during a raid on their base. Statements from victims and suspects revealed a wider transnational human trafficking and internet fraud network. The rescued victims were handed over to the Ghana High Commission in Abuja for safe repatriation and reintegration, with ongoing consular and welfare support assured.
In a related case, INTERPOL NCB received a distress alert on June 17, 2025, regarding four Ghanaian nationals trafficked into Nigeria by a 39-year-old woman, Achiaa Grace Afrifa. Police investigations showed Afrifa defrauded her victims of 126,000 Ghanaian Cedis by promising them jobs.
“Police swiftly arrested Afrifa on June 18, 2025, at No. 1 Ikot Ebido Street, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, rescuing 15 victims from her custody,” Adejobi said.
The seven suspects arrested in both operations will be arraigned in court following the completion of investigations. The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling trafficking syndicates, fighting cybercrime, and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
