Nigeria Police bust trans-border kidnapping syndicate, rescue 2 Ghanaians

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have busted a trans-border kidnapping syndicate and rescued two kidnapped Ghanaian nationals.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made the disclosure in a statement on Friday.

He said the arrest followed a report filed with the National Central Bureau, NCB, Abuja on April 27 regarding the abduction of a Ghanaian national, Anastasia Arthur aka Baidoo.

Adejobi said upon the receipt of the report, Nigeria Police Force, through its Intelligence Response Team, IRT, swung into action and successfully rescued the two victims.

He said the operatives also “apprehended a key kidnapping syndicate operating across international borders”.

The police said initial investigations into the kidnapping revealed that Ms Baidoo’s abduction stemmed from a sophisticated Facebook love scam.

Advanced technical analysis provided a lead to a key location connected to the perpetrators, and operatives were deployed for immediate action.

Working in close collaboration with the Ghanaian Police Service, the IRT operatives identified a criminal syndicate with members operating in both Ghana and Nigeria.

Key breakthroughs in the investigation included the arrest of one Emeka Christian, a Nigerian national residing in Bolgatanga, Upper Eastern Ghana, who confessed to receiving GH 10,000 Cedis as ransom money for the victim through his Ghanaian mobile account.

He further admitted to transferring the Naira equivalent to a Nigerian bank account belonging to one Peter Okoye.

The statement added that on May 1st, 2025, IRT operatives successfully tracked Peter Okoye, the prime suspect, to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“The suspect was apprehended along with members of his syndicate: Paulinus Chidokwe, and Chinonso Okafor.

“Two Ghanaian women, Ms. Anastasia Arthur aka Baidoo and Amaseerwaa Konadu who were victims of these abductors, were  rescued in the process.

“The victims have been taken to the hospital for proper treatment having been held under dehumanizing circumstances, while the suspects are currently undergoing investigation and upon conclusion, those involved will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Adejobi concluded.

Nigeria Police bust trans-border kidnapping syndicate, rescue 2 Ghanaians