Ghana Repatriates 44 Citizens Rescued from Trafficking Camps in Nigeria

Ghana Repatriates 44 Citizens Rescued from Trafficking Camps in Nigeria

The Government of Ghana has confirmed the repatriation of 44 of its nationals who were trafficked into Nigeria under false promises of employment and travel, following a coordinated rescue operation involving Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities.

The victims, consisting of 27 males and 17 females, were discovered in two separate locations in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria—Umo Ekpo in Ifuho community, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, and Ekpri Nsukara in Uyo Local Government Area. They were reportedly being held in camps linked to suspected trafficking and fraudulent recruitment networks.

According to the Akwa Ibom State Government, the individuals were handed over to Ghanaian officials after being extracted from the sites during a security operation. The intervention involved multiple Nigerian security agencies, including the Department of State Services, working in collaboration with Ghanaian authorities.

In a statement issued by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the victims were rescued on March 16, 2026, and subsequently transported back to Accra, arriving on March 20. The ministry confirmed that the operation was the result of sustained intelligence sharing and cross-border cooperation between both countries.

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Authorities revealed that the victims were subjected to exploitative conditions, including restricted movement and psychological coercion. Investigations also indicate that they were recruited through deceptive means, including social media platforms and informal recruitment channels, which are commonly used by trafficking syndicates to lure unsuspecting individuals.

Some of the victims were reportedly coerced into recruiting additional persons into the network, a tactic often used by traffickers to expand their operations while maintaining control over victims.

The Ghanaian government stated that it is now working with relevant agencies to provide support for the returnees, including rehabilitation, counselling, and reintegration programs aimed at helping them recover from their ordeal and reintegrate into society.

The Ministry also commended Nigerian authorities for their swift response and cooperation in dismantling the trafficking network. It emphasized that ongoing collaboration between both countries remains critical in tackling transnational crimes such as human trafficking, which continues to affect vulnerable populations across West Africa.

Officials reiterated that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend individuals behind the trafficking operation, while efforts are being made to dismantle the broader criminal network responsible for the exploitation.

The ministry further urged the public to exercise caution when considering travel or job opportunities abroad, advising individuals to verify all offers through official channels and avoid engagement with unverified recruiters or agents.

Human trafficking remains a persistent challenge in the region, with authorities across West Africa intensifying efforts to curb recruitment scams and improve border monitoring, intelligence sharing, and victim protection mechanisms.

Ghana Repatriates 44 Citizens Rescued from Trafficking Camps in Nigeria