Police Rescue Trafficked Ghanaian in Abuja, Warns Public Against Fraudulent Travel Offers

Police Rescue Trafficked Ghanaian in Abuja, Warns Public Against Fraudulent Travel Offers

Abuja, Nigeria – July 1, 2025

The Nigeria Police Force, in a coordinated international operation, has successfully rescued a Ghanaian national who was trafficked into Nigeria under false pretenses. The victim, identified as Sammed Iddrisu, was lured into the country with the promise of obtaining a visa to France, only to be held captive and coerced into cybercrime activities linked to a notorious pyramid scheme.

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the rescue operation was conducted on June 27, 2025, by operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command. The mission followed an alert from INTERPOL NCB Accra, Ghana, received on June 16, which triggered swift intelligence-led action.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim’s father, Mr. Nartey Louda, had paid a Ghanaian suspect identified as Attah the sum of GHC 55,000 on January 10, 2025, for the facilitation of a French visa and other travel documents for his son. Sammed was subsequently instructed to travel to Abuja, Nigeria, in anticipation of receiving the documents.

However, upon arrival on June 25, Sammed was held against his will and forced to partake in online fraud linked to QNET, a known pyramid scheme operating under the guise of e-commerce. Authorities confirmed that another Ghanaian who was similarly targeted managed to escape and report the syndicate to Ghanaian police, sparking international collaboration.

The Nigeria Police confirmed that reintegration procedures are ongoing for the rescued victim, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend those behind the crime.

“The Force has commenced necessary legal processes to ensure that the perpetrators face justice,” Adejobi stated.

He also used the opportunity to caution members of the public, particularly young people and their families, to exercise caution regarding foreign travel opportunities. He urged them to verify offers through official diplomatic and immigration channels and to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement.

This operation highlights the growing threat of cross-border crime and underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating human trafficking and cybercrime.