The Nigeria Police Force has rescued two Ghanaian women who were abducted after falling victim to a Facebook love scam operated by a cross-border kidnapping syndicate.
The victims, identified as Anastasia Arthur aka Baidoo, 48, and Amaseerwaa Konadu, were freed on May 1, 2025, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following a coordinated sting by the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the Ghanaian Police Service.
In a statement released on Friday, the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the operation was initiated after a kidnapping report was filed with the National Central Bureau in Abuja on April 27.
Adejobi said investigations revealed that Arthur was lured from Ghana through a romance scam orchestrated via Facebook, which ultimately led to her abduction.
He said, “Following a report filed with the National Central Bureau Abuja on April 27th, 2025, regarding the kidnap of one Anastasia Arthur aka Baidoo, a 48-year-old Ghanaian national, the Nigeria Police Force, through its Intelligence Response Team, has successfully rescued 2 kidnapped Ghanaian Nationals and apprehended a key kidnapping syndicate operating across international borders.
“Initial investigations revealed that Ms Baidoo’s abduction stemmed from a sophisticated Facebook love scam. Advanced technical analysis provided a lead to a key location connected to the perpetrators, and operatives were deployed for immediate action. Working in close collaboration with the Ghanaian Police Service, the IRT operatives identified a criminal syndicate with members operating in both Ghana and Nigeria.”
One of the suspects, Emeka Christian, 27, a Nigerian residing in Bolgatanga, Upper Eastern Ghana, was arrested and confessed to receiving GH₵10,000 in ransom through his Ghanaian mobile account.
He disclosed that the money was converted to Naira and transferred to a Nigerian bank account belonging to one Peter Okoye.
The statement added, “Key breakthroughs in the investigation included the arrest of one Emeka Christian, a 27-year-old Nigerian national residing in Bolgatanga, Upper Eastern Ghana, who confessed to receiving GH 10,000 Cedis as ransom money for the victim through his Ghanaian mobile account.
“He further admitted to transferring the Naira equivalent to a Nigerian bank account belonging to one Peter Okoye.”
Adejobi said IRT operatives tracked and apprehended Okoye in Port Harcourt, alongside two members of his syndicate, Paulinus Chidokwe and Chinonso Okafor, both aged 35.
He said during the raid, the two Ghanaian women were found in deplorable conditions and immediately taken to a hospital for treatment.
Adejobi said, “On May 1st, 2025, at approximately 1:22 PM, IRT operatives successfully tracked Peter Okoye, the prime suspect, to Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The suspect was apprehended along with members of his syndicate: Paulinus Chidokwe, 35, and Chinonso Okafor, 35. Two Ghanaian women, Ms. Anastasia Arthur aka Baidoo and Amaseerwaa Konadu, who were victims of these abductors, were rescued in the process.
“The victims have been taken to the hospital for proper treatment, having been held under dehumanising circumstances, while the suspects are currently undergoing investigation and upon conclusion, those involved will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
He said the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the officers for their swift and decisive response, noting that the successful operation underscored the Force’s commitment to fighting cross-border crime and protecting lives.
“This operation sends a clear message to criminals that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for transnational crimes,” the IGP said while urging the public to be cautious of online romance scams.
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