How two Ghanaian women were rescued from kidnappers in Nigeria

Two Ghanaian women who were lured into a romance scam and later held hostage in Nigeria have been successfully rescued through a collaborative effort between the Ghana Police Service and the Nigerian Federal Police.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), confirmed the rescue, noting that the victims are currently safe and receiving medical treatment in a secured facility in Nigeria. Both women are said to be in stable condition.

The rescue mission was prompted by a widely circulated video on social media showing one of the women tied up and physically assaulted by unknown individuals. Police investigations later identified the woman as a Ghanaian who had been enticed into traveling to Nigeria under the illusion of a romantic relationship.

Once in Nigeria, she was kidnapped by a criminal syndicate that subjected her to abuse and recorded videos of the ordeal. The assailants sent the videos to her family and demanded ransom payments for her release.

Further inquiries revealed that a second Ghanaian woman had also been deceived and brought to the same location by the same group. She, too, was detained and mistreated under similar conditions.

According to police reports, the families of the victims had already made partial payments to the kidnappers before law enforcement intervened. The timely joint operation led to the arrest of several suspects in Nigeria, who are currently cooperating with investigations.

DCOP Donkor praised the swift and effective cooperation between Ghanaian and Nigerian authorities, reaffirming the Ghana Police Service’s dedication to protecting citizens both within and outside the country.

She also cautioned the public to be vigilant in their online interactions, especially with strangers who make romantic or financial promises, as these are common tactics used by cybercriminals.