Forty-five Nigerian nationals, who were trafficked to Ghana, have been rescued by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), in collaboration with the police.
The victims were trafficked by four of their countrymen, Godstine Omoruyi, Junior Nosa Omoruyi, Marvelous Omoruyi, and Evbuomwan Idowu, who have since been arraigned.
EOCO in a statement said the four are suspected to be involved in human trafficking and cyber-crime related activities in the country.
According to the statement, the rescue operation was conducted on May 2, 2023, adding that two females were among the victims, with their ages ranging between 18 and 34.
EOCO stated that during the operation, 70 laptop computers, two saloon cars, 51 mobile phones, nine (9) internet modems, and other gadgets were recovered from the suspects’ hideout.
“Following the arrest and subsequent screening of the suspects, it came to light that 45 of the individuals were victims of human trafficking, whilst four (4) were the traffickers,” the statement explained
The statement indicated that the rescued victims had been repatriated to Nigeria to reunite with their families.
Their arrest was made in response to information gathered by the Office that several young Nigerians had been trafficked into the country.
EOCO said the victims were lured into the nation with the pretense of finding work, but were then forced to engage in cybercrime operations upon their arrival.
EOCO added that to compel their captives into compliance, the traffickers used different sorts of physical torture and abuse.
By Ernest Kofi Adu