In a dramatic cross-border operation that spanned two West African nations, the Ghana Police Service, working with the Nigeria Police Force and National Signals Bureau, has successfully rescued two Ghanaian women kidnapped in Nigeria and exposed a sophisticated criminal syndicate running romance scams and SIM card fraud. The daring rescue operation, which led to the arrest of eight suspects, has been hailed as a breakthrough in the fight against transnational crime.
At a press briefing held today, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the CID Headquarters in Accra, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department provided explosive updates on a high-profile kidnapping case involving two Ghanaian women, Anastasia Baidoo and Evelyn Serwaa Konadu, who were abducted in Nigeria in April this year.
According to police, the victims had been lured through elaborate online romance scams operated via Facebook, posing as potential foreign suitors. After travelling separately to Nigeria on April 22, 2025, they were kidnapped, physically assaulted, and forced to record ransom videos under threats of death. A total ransom demand of ¢1 million (¢500,000 per victim) was made, with ¢18,000 already paid by distraught family members through various mobile money channels.
Thanks to real-time collaboration between Ghanaian and Nigerian authorities, including INTERPOL and the National Signals Bureau, the victims were tracked to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where they were rescued on May 1, 2025. Arrested at the scene were key suspects Peter Okoye, Paulinus Chidokwe, and Chinonso Okafor. Five others, including mobile money agents and telecom insiders, were arrested in Ghana for aiding the crime with illegally registered sim cards.
In a shocking revelation, police detailed how one of the Ghanaian suspects, Titus Mba Awuni, had used stolen Ghana Card data and credentials from a telecom insider to register sim cards, which were then sold to criminals in Nigeria. These sim cards were used to receive ransom payments and conduct online scams.
The victims were subjected to horrifying abuse during their captivity—including beatings with machetes and threats of death by suffocation and hanging, acts which were recorded on video and shared with family members.
As of now, both victims are receiving medical attention in Nigeria and are expected to be repatriated to Ghana soon. The suspects are in custody, with Ghanaian authorities working to have them extradited to face justice in Ghana.
On behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the CID commended the officers involved, as well as Nigerian law enforcement partners, for the successful operation.
“This case is a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking in online spaces,” said the CID spokesperson. “Let this serve as a warning, always verify who you are engaging with online, and report suspicious activity to the police immediately.”
Two Ghanaian women kidnapped in Nigeria through an online romance scam have been rescued in a dramatic joint operation between Ghanaian and Nigerian security agencies.
The Criminal Investigations Department today revealed how Anastasia Baidoo and Evelyn Serwaa Konadu were lured via Facebook, abducted, tortured, and held for ransom in a hideout in Port Harcourt.
Eight suspects have been arrested, five in Ghana and three in Nigeria, including members of a sophisticated SIM card fraud ring that aided the criminals.
The women are safe and receiving medical care in Nigeria, while efforts are underway to extradite the suspects and return the victims to Ghana.
The Ghana Police Service has warned the public to remain alert, avoid falling for online scams, and report suspicious activities.
By Peter quao Adattor
