The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in a coordinated transnational effort, has successfully dismantled a cross-border kidnapping syndicate and rescued two Ghanaian women held captive after falling victim to an online scam. The breakthrough operation, led by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) with support from Ghanaian authorities, underscores the NPF’s commitment to combating organized crime beyond Nigeria’s borders.
FULL STORY:
In a major triumph against transnational crime, the Nigeria Police Force has cracked down on a kidnapping syndicate operating between Nigeria and Ghana, resulting in the rescue of two Ghanaian women and the arrest of key suspects.
The operation followed a report filed with the National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja on April 27, 2025, concerning the disappearance of 48-year-old Ghanaian national, Anastasia Arthur, also known as Baidoo. Investigations revealed that her abduction was linked to an elaborate Facebook scam.
Leveraging advanced technical intelligence, operatives traced the syndicate’s activities to both countries, initiating a joint operation with the Ghana Police Service. The first significant breakthrough came with the arrest of 27-year-old Nigerian national Emeka Christian in Bolgatanga, Ghana. Christian admitted to receiving ¢10,000.00 as ransom via his Ghanaian mobile account and transferring the funds to a Nigerian account belonging to one Peter Okoye.
On May 1, 2025, around 1:22 PM, IRT operatives tracked and arrested Okoye in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, along with two other suspects—Paulinus Chidokwe (35) and Chinonso Okafor (35). During the operation, the police rescued Ms. Arthur and another Ghanaian victim, Amaseerwaa Konadu, both of whom were being held in degrading conditions. They are currently receiving medical care.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the IRT for their swift, coordinated action and emphasized the NPF’s unwavering commitment to combating transnational criminal networks. He also reiterated the importance of vigilance among the public, particularly concerning online romance scams.
“This operation is a testament to our growing ability to tackle complex, cross-border criminal cases and our readiness to collaborate with international partners to safeguard lives,” the IGP noted.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or scams to the Nigerian Police via the following official channels:
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, mnipr, mipra, FCAI
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
