Ghanaian lured by fake Canadian travel scam rescued in Ogun
Cross-Border Operation Unveils Human Trafficking Network in Ogun State
A recent operation conducted by the Nigeria Police Force has led to the rescue of a 24-year-old Ghanaian national who was trafficked into Nigeria, as well as the arrest of five individuals involved in the crime. The operation took place in Ofada, Ogun State, and was carried out by officers from the INTERPOL Annex, FCID Alagbon, Lagos, following a request for assistance from the National Central Bureau Accra.
The operation was initiated on September 15, with the aim of addressing reports of human trafficking involving cross-border elements. According to the statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the police successfully rescued the victim and arrested the suspects, highlighting the force’s ongoing commitment to combating transnational crimes.
Details of the Trafficking Scheme
According to preliminary investigations, the victim and his father were allegedly trafficked into Nigeria in July 2025 by Hassana Abban, a 25-year-old Ghanaian woman based in Ofada. She reportedly posed as someone who could assist them in traveling to Canada, which led to the payment of a substantial sum. The suspect collected forty thousand (40,000) Cedis, equivalent to approximately four million, nine hundred and sixty thousand (N4,960,000) Naira, under the pretense of arranging their travel.
Upon arrival in Nigeria, the victim and his father had their Ghanaian passports and mobile phones confiscated. They were then forced to engage in activities linked to fraudulent online trading platforms. This exploitation continued until the intervention of the Nigerian police, who traced the victims after receiving information from Interpol Accra.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigations
The operation resulted in the arrest of the principal suspect, Hassana Abban, along with four accomplices. These individuals include:
- Odubuasi David, a Nigerian
- Yahaya Salifu, a Ghanaian
- Sherifa Haruna, a Ghanaian
- Ebenezer Ofosu, also a Ghanaian
All five suspects are currently in custody, and further investigations are being conducted to uncover more details about the trafficking network. The rescued victim has since been reunited with his family in Ghana, marking a significant success for the law enforcement agencies involved.
Commitment to Regional Cooperation
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised the efforts of the officers involved in the operation, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in tackling human trafficking and other transnational crimes. He assured the public and international partners that the Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to ensuring that no criminal syndicate operating across borders can evade justice.
This operation highlights the growing collaboration between law enforcement agencies in different countries to combat the rising threat of human trafficking. It also underscores the need for continued vigilance and improved measures to protect vulnerable individuals from falling into the hands of traffickers.
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