Authorities in Ghana have successfully uncovered and shut down a human trafficking and online scam ring based in Peace Land, Ashaiman, Tema. During the operation, seven Nigerian nationals were freed from captivity, and three individuals were taken into custody.
The Tema Regional Police Command announced the breakthrough in an official release dated Friday, October 10, 2025.
The intervention was executed by the Zenu-Atadeka District Police Patrol Team on Tuesday, October 7, around 4:00 p.m.
Three suspects were apprehended during the raid: Peter Okoye, 36, a computer engineer by profession; Jolly Ezekiel, 30; and Jolly Shadrack, 33.
Investigations revealed that the perpetrators deceived their victims in Nigeria by promising them construction jobs in Tema. Instead, upon arrival, the victims were confined in a residence at Peace Land, Ashaiman, and coerced into participating in cyber fraud schemes.
Reports indicate that the captives endured harsh physical abuse and were compelled to swear loyalty oaths to their captors. Those who resisted faced imprisonment in a cramped room approximately 10 by 12 feet in size, deprived of food, freedom, and basic sanitation for extended periods.
Each victim was provided with a laptop and instructed to fabricate romantic relationships with unsuspecting foreign individuals to scam them out of money. The criminal network operated with over ten laptops, overseen by senior members who managed and profited from the illicit earnings.
A subsequent search of the suspects’ home yielded numerous items, including laptops, routers, mobile phones, household goods, and food supplies. These items have been secured as evidence to support ongoing investigations. The confiscated mobile devices have been sent to the Cyber Crime Unit at the Police Headquarters in Accra for detailed forensic examination.
The accused appeared before the Ashaiman District Court, presided over by H/W Derick Parden Eshun, on October 9, 2025. They were remanded in police custody and are scheduled to return to court on October 23, 2025. They face charges of conspiracy to commit crimes related to human trafficking after their bail applications were denied.
The rescued individuals, who had been held captive for nearly eight months, are currently receiving medical and psychological support.
The Tema Regional Police Commander assured the public that investigations are advancing steadily. The police are collaborating closely with the Ghana Immigration Service to ensure the safe return and reintegration of the victims with their families in Nigeria.
“The Command reiterates its dedication to protecting public safety and security and calls on the community to report any suspected human trafficking or cybercrime activities promptly to aid in dismantling organized criminal networks,” the statement concluded.
0 Comments