Eleven Ghanaians have been rescued in Nigeria by the Ogun State Police Command after they were allegedly held hostage in Sagamu.
Reports disclosed that the Ghanaian nationals were lured to the country with promises of Canadian and Spanish visas.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, by the Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Oluseyi Babaseyi, revealed that the victims, who were made up of seven males and four females, were rescued by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following intelligence received on October 19, 2026.
The statement stated, “Acting on actionable intelligence received on 19 October 2026, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit immediately mobilised to the identified hideout and safely rescued all eleven victims”.
According to the Police, preliminary investigations indicated that the victims were allegedly tricked by a fellow Ghanaian national who promised to facilitate their overseas travel.
“Each reportedly paid GH¢40,000 before being brought to Nigeria and held against their will,” the statement added.
The Ogun State Police Command further disclosed that the victims were receiving appropriate care and support, adding that detectives have intensified efforts to track persons connected with the alleged criminal network.
“No safe haven for criminals who exploit the hopes of others,”
“For the Command, every credible lead matters, every life matters, and protecting the public remains paramount,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Superintendent William Ayariga, the Director of the Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, has revealed the models used by human traffickers to lure unsuspecting Ghanaians.
According to Superintendent William Ayariga, criminals are increasingly using fake travel opportunities and romance scams to lure unsuspecting victims into human trafficking networks.
He revealed that traffickers often pose as friends, acquaintances or romantic partners living abroad, convincing their targets.
Superintendent Ayariga disclosed that financial exploitation often begins before victims leave Ghana, stressing that perpetrators demand payments under the pretext of processing travel documents, securing employment or arranging overseas opportunities.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, October 22, Superintendent Ayariga stated, “Human trafficking as a crime is on the rise, and a lot of people are falling victim. The perpetrators are using different models to lure unsuspecting Ghanaians into trafficking. They are using models such as romance scams and travel abroad scams.
“The travel abroad scams are on the increase. It is mostly carried out by friends and acquaintances. They will call and tell you that they are in Canada, the USA, Japan or France. They will tell you that the company they work with needs staff, and so they will refer you to an agent, and they will demand money.
“After paying the money, they are lured to other West African countries and all their documents are confiscated on arrival, but we are working hard to stop it.”
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