The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the National Signals Bureau (NSB) and the Nigeria Police Force, has successfully rescued two female victims who were kidnapped and featured in a viral video.
The victims, Anastasia Badoo Atta and Serwaa Konadu, were deceived through an online romance scam and later abducted in Nigeria.
According to DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the victims were targeted by suspects posing as white men on Facebook.
The perpetrators convinced the unsuspecting women to accept marriage proposals, ultimately luring them to Nigeria. Eight suspects were apprehended in connection with the kidnapping, with arrests made in both Ghana and Nigeria.
The abductors subjected the women to severe physical abuse, stripping them naked, tying them up, and assaulting them with cutlasses.
They also threatened to kill them, covered their heads with black polythene, and recorded the violent acts on video.
The kidnappers sent the footage to the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of GHS500,000 from each family. A total of GHS18,000 was paid to various phone numbers linked to the suspects.
Both victims and suspects are currently in the custody of Nigerian authorities. Efforts are underway to transport the victims back to Ghana and extradite the suspects to assist in investigations. DCOP Donkor confirmed that the victims have received routine medical checks and are fine.
The Ghana Police Service, NSB, and Nigeria Police Force worked together seamlessly to track and capture the perpetrators. The successful operation highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating crime.