The Ghana Police Service has raised concerns over a rising wave of human trafficking involving Ghanaians being lured to countries within the ECOWAS sub-region under false pretences.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday, June 30, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, disclosed that 66 victims linked to a QNET-related trafficking network were recently rescued in Nigeria.
The rescue operation, which took place between May 19 and June 27, 2025, was made possible through collaboration with Interpol.
According to the police, the victims—mostly young Ghanaians—had been deceived with promises of recruitment into football academies and access to high-paying jobs abroad. However, upon arrival, they were subjected to exploitative conditions, with their movements restricted and personal documents confiscated.
DCOP Donkor urged the public, particularly young job seekers, to exercise caution when considering employment or educational offers outside Ghana.
She also encouraged families and community members to assist in verifying such offers and to promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.
“These scammers use deception, coercion, and deny victims access to travel documents. Such actions are criminal and punishable by law. Anyone found guilty of luring individuals into such schemes will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
