Nigeria Police Foil Trans-Border Kidnapping Syndicate, Rescue Two Ghanaian Nationals
In a major breakthrough against transnational crime, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismantled a cross-border kidnapping syndicate and successfully rescued two Ghanaian nationals who were abducted following an elaborate Facebook love scam.
The operation, led by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), followed a report lodged with the National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, on April 27, 2025, over the kidnapping of 48-year-old Ghanaian national, Anastasia Arthur, also known as Baidoo.
Utilizing advanced technical analysis, the IRT operatives identified critical leads and initiated immediate operations. Working in close coordination with the Ghana Police Service, investigators uncovered a criminal network operating across Nigeria and Ghana.
The first suspect, 27-year-old Emeka Christian, was arrested in Bolgatanga, Upper Eastern Ghana. He admitted to receiving 10,000 Ghanaian Cedi in ransom, which he transferred to a Nigerian bank account belonging to another suspect, Peter Okoye.
On May 1, 2025, around 1:22 PM, IRT operatives tracked and arrested Okoye in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, alongside two other suspects: Paulinus Chidokwe and Chinonso Okafor, both aged 35. Two Ghanaian women — Ms. Arthur and another victim, Amaseerwaa Konadu — were rescued during the operation. The victims, who had been held in harsh conditions, were immediately taken to the hospital for medical attention.
All suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation, with plans to charge them to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, praised the swift and coordinated efforts of the operatives, noting that the success highlights the NPF’s commitment to dismantling transnational criminal networks and enhancing international security cooperation.
The NPF also issued a public advisory, urging citizens to exercise caution with online relationships and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through the Force's official communication channels.
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