The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has arrested 49 Nigerian nationals in Accra for alleged human trafficking and cyber-crime related offences in the country.
According to a statement by the organization, the arrest follows a joint operation with the Ghana Police Service in Accra on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, where the suspects were arrested in connection with the offences.
It further clarified that following thorough investigations and screening, it established that 45 of the suspects are victims of human tracking while four are traffickers.
The four human-tracking suspects, Godstine Umoruyi, Junior Nosa Umoruyi, Marvelous Umoruyi, and Evbuomwan Idowu were arraigned while the rescued victims have been repatriated to Nigeria to reunite with their families.
In all, 70 laptop computers, two saloon cars, 51 mobile phones, nine internet modems and other gadgets were recovered from their hideout during the operation, the police added.
The statement explained also that the arrest followed intelligence obtained by the office to the effect that some young Nigerians had been trafficked into Ghana.
“The said victims were lured into the country with the promise of securing them jobs but were subsequently forced to engage in cyber-crime activities upon their arrival in the country.
The traffickers also resorted to various forms of physical torture and abuse to coerce their victims into subjection,” said EOCO.
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