The Ghanaian government has officially handed over 231 Nigerians, mostly young men and women, rescued from an alleged human trafficking and cybercrime syndicate. The victims were trafficked under false pretenses and exploited for internet fraud activities.
Speaking at the handover event in Lagos on Friday, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), confirmed the operation, highlighting that 12 of the victims were minors. She emphasized the importance of state governments assisting the returnees, especially with reintegration and rehabilitation.
“The largest group of victims comes from Edo State, with 76 individuals, followed by smaller groups from Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Imo, and other states,” Dabiri-Erewa said. “We urge state governors to collaborate with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to ensure proper care and support.”
NAPTIP’s Comfort Agboko explained that many victims were used for cyber fraud, and suspects involved will be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) conducted a coordinated raid on 26 houses in an estate suspected to house trafficked individuals. These houses were being used as centers for cyber fraud, with surveillance confirming over 200 people were held captive. Some victims had endured captivity for up to five years.
“The syndicate’s leaders, known as ‘chairmen,’ are believed to be operating from Nigeria, using local agents in Ghana to manage the trafficking operations,” said Dominic Mensah, an EOCO staff officer.
