The Nigeria Police Force has rescued a 24-year-old Ghanaian man who was trafficked into Ogun State under the guise of a Canada travel arrangement and arrested five people linked to the scheme.
According to the Force, the breakthrough followed a formal request from Ghana’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Accra on September 15, which prompted operatives of INTERPOL Annex, FCID Alagbon, Lagos, to swing into action. Acting on intelligence, officers stormed Ofada in Ogun State on September 16 and freed the victim.
Investigations showed that the young man and his father were lured into Nigeria in July 2025 by 25-year-old Ghanaian national, Hassana Abban, who allegedly promised to process their relocation to Canada. For the arrangement, she reportedly collected 40,000 Cedis, equivalent to about ₦4.96 million.
Instead of securing their trip, the traffickers allegedly seized their passports and phones, forcing them to engage in activities linked to fraudulent online trading platforms. With intelligence shared between Nigerian and Ghanaian police, the victims’ location was eventually tracked.
The rescue mission also led to the arrest of Abban and four accomplices. They were identified as Odubuasi David, a Nigerian citizen, along with three Ghanaians: Yahaya Salifu, Sherifa Haruna, and Ebenezer Ofosu.
Police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that all five suspects are now in custody while investigations continue. He added that the rescued victim has since been reunited with his family back in Ghana.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised the professionalism of the operatives and highlighted the importance of regional collaboration in tackling human trafficking and other cross-border crimes. He assured that the Force remains committed to dismantling trafficking networks, stressing that no syndicate operating internationally will escape justice.