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Tag: trafficking

  • 15 traffickers, prostitutes arrested by police in Koforidua

    15 traffickers, prostitutes arrested by police in Koforidua

    Fifteen girls have been arrested by the New Juaben South Municipal Police Command for trafficking and other commercial sex-related offences.

    The girls, aged between 15 and 35 years, were apprehended following a complaint from a commercial sex worker who reported being abused by her trafficker and boyfriend for failing to meet her daily sales quota.

    During the operation, police also detained several landlords who had reportedly turned their apartments into brothels, charging GH¢25 per day for their use.

    Speaking to the media on Tuesday, February 10, at the Central Police Station in Koforidua, Municipal Commander Superintendent Ransford Nsiah gave an update on recent law enforcement activities targeting prostitution and human trafficking, warning landlords involved in such practices to stop or face immediate consequences.

    “Last Sunday, we received a complaint from another Nigerian lady that she had been assaulted by her mistress, whom we normally call a ‘queen mother.’ The assault happened because she could not meet the daily target of GH¢400 set by the queen mother.

    “We also arrested another man who had constructed a house and turned it into a brothel where the women are staying.

    “He collects GH¢25 per day from them. So far, about 15 persons, the youngest aged between 15 years and 32 years, are in police custody and will be put before the court immediately,” he said.

    The Municipal Crime Officer, ASP Asante Kusi Augustine, expressed concern about the involvement of 15-year-olds in commercial sex work and urged the public to provide information that could help police apprehend sex traffickers.

    Fifty-seven (57) Nigerian nationals were rescued from a human trafficking and cybercrime syndicate operating at Adom Estates, Community 25.

    This occurred in the aftermath of a strategic operation that took place on Wednesday, October 22, led by the CID’s Operations Unit following intelligence gathered on the group’s activities.

    The operation led to the arrest of five suspects alleged to be the master minds behind the syndicate. They include Joel Nosa, Collins Rotimi, Shadrack Lulu, Austin Amahuaro, and John Uloko.

    According to the Police’s preliminary investigations, which were announced through a statement, these suspects lure their victims with promises of jobs and education, and when they finally arrive, they are forced into fraudulent online activities such as romance scams and other illegal activities.

    According to a press statement issued by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, Public Relations Officer of the CID, “Upon arrival, the victims, aged between 18 and 26 years, were coerced into engaging in online romance scams and other heinous activities,” the statement said.

    During the operation, police retrieved 77 laptops, 38 mobile phones, two vehicles, three television sets, and other internet-enabled devices suspected to have been used in the crimes. The 57 rescued victims are currently receiving care and support, while the suspects remain in police custody, assisting with further investigations.

    The seized items have been retained for forensic analysis.

    The Police Service has urged the public, especially young people, to be cautious about offers of employment, education, or travel made through social media and other unverified sources.

    “The Police reiterate their determination to combat human trafficking, cybercrime, and related offenses, and urge anyone with credible information on such activities to report to the nearest police station,” the statement added.

    Meanwhile, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), in a joint operation on Friday, October 17, busted a human trafficking syndicate operated mainly by Ghanaians and Ivorians.

    In a statement shared the same day, the crime intelligence agency announced that following the raid, it had successfully rescued 26 victims of human trafficking, comprising sixteen (16) Ghanaians and ten (10) Ivorians.

    These nationals had fallen victim to job opportunity scams run by individuals posing as recruitment agents for QNET, a multinational company known for its wellness and lifestyle products.

    The operation, dubbed “Operation Quest,” was conducted by EOCO’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in collaboration with QNET, around 10:30 a.m.

    “The operation, code-named Operation Quest, followed intelligence that some foreigners and Ghanaians had been trafficked under the guise of employment with the QNET Company — a reputable organisation that trades in wellness and lifestyle products.

    The suspects include two (2) Ivorians and seven (7) Ghanaians, while the victims were made up of ten (10) Ivorians and sixteen (16) Ghanaians,” the statement noted.

    The organisation clarified that these individuals had no legitimate ties to the company and were exploiting QNET’s reputation to carry out their illicit activities.

    “All nine (9) suspects are currently in the custody of EOCO to assist in investigations,” parts of the statement added.

    A night-time operation by the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Northern Police Command in 2024, also resulted in the arrest of 85 individuals involved in drug trafficking and prostitution in Tamale’s central business district.

    The suspects were caught using the taxi rank as a base for selling and distributing illegal drugs, targeting local youth.

    Their activities also included gambling and dealing in stolen phones.

    Police detained several teenagers engaged in prostitution and sexual activities under the Tamale overpass.

    Those arrested face charges related to drug offenses and possession, and were found with stolen phones and gambling tools.

    The lucrative nature of the illicit activities has led some unemployed young people to turn to sex work for financial support. Some suspects were apprehended for engaging in public sex on motorcycles and unregistered cars.

    During the raid, over 50 suspicious young men and 25 prostitutes were screened, and several Nigerian nationals were also arrested.

    The authorities seized vehicles, motorbikes, and mobile phones from the suspects. The police are continuing their investigation and working to ensure accountability for those involved in these illegal activities.

  • Man accused of trafficking over 3,000 young girls arrested

    Man accused of trafficking over 3,000 young girls arrested

    A 38-year-old man, identified as Pussy Mama, has been remanded by the Kasoa Ofaakor Circuit Court for allegedly trafficking over 3,000 young girls and boys from Nigeria to Ghana, Mali, and other countries for prostitution.

    The suspect, of Nigerian descent, appeared before the Ofaakor Circuit Court, presided over by His Lordship Isaac Oheneba Kuffour, and is expected to reappear on October 18, 2024.

    Pussy Mama has been on Nigeria and Ghana’s Police wanted list for the past ten years for human trafficking. Arresting him has been a significant challenge due to his perceived use of ‘juju.’

    However, he was finally apprehended by a brave young female police officer after trafficking another group of young girls, aged 13-17, to Ghana.

    According to a police source, Pussy Mama would always disappear immediately upon touching a wall, earning him a notorious reputation. The Central Regional Chairman for the Nigerian Community, Sir Emmanuel Azubuike, described the suspect as “too powerful.”

    Azubuike, also Africa Coordinator for the International Human Rights Observatory, noted that Pussy Mama would always disappear from the hands of Nigerian and Ghanaian police whenever he was arrested.

    Azubuike commended the policewoman for her bravery and urged the Ghana Police Service and Chief Justice to be vigilant to prevent another escape.

  • High profile personality allegedly arrested for cocaine trafficking

    High profile personality allegedly arrested for cocaine trafficking

    A notable personality in Ghana has been apprehended by law enforcement authorities on suspicion of involvement in cocaine trafficking.

    Per reports the individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, has been under police custody for three consecutive days as investigations into the matter progress.

    The news of the high-profile personality’s arrest has sent shockwaves throughout the country, as speculation mounts about the identity of the individual involved.

    According to a social media user, “Apparently there is one high profile personality here in Ghana who has been in the hands of Ghana police for 3days now for coc*aine trafficking.He’s very well known Infact obiaaa nim no. Hmmmmm things dey happen for this Ghana hmmmmmm let me pause…….. 🤐🤐🤐”.

  • Two traffickers jailed 17 years for pushing 4 girls into sex trade

    Two traffickers jailed 17 years for pushing 4 girls into sex trade

    Two women who were accused of being sex workers sobbed hysterically after receiving a 17-year prison term for pushing four girls into prostitution and trafficking them.

    For the trafficking of three of the victims, Precious Emmanuel, 30, was given a ten-year term; Success John, 28, was given a seven-year prison for the trafficking of one girl.

    The charges against both included the use of trafficked individuals and human trafficking. Invoking forgiveness and repatriation to Nigeria, they entered a guilty plea before the court chaired by Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu.

    Prior to rendering a decision, the court recommended that Ghana Police Service personnel beef up security in the Wassa Akropong area since there were an increasing number of teenage females being used as prostitutes and robbers.

    The prosecution, Chief Inspector Veronica Tibson, told the court that every one of the defendants and victims was a citizen of Nigeria. The victims were flown from Nigeria to Ghana around six months ago by two other people, Blessing and Cynthia, who were coworkers of the accused and are currently fugitives.

    These victims were first sent to Ghana in order to work as boutique salesgirls and attend education. But they were forced into prostitution when they found themselves in the accused people’s hands.

    Chief Inspector Tibson clarified that the victims’ hair samples, pubic hair, and nail clippings were gathered from them when they arrived at the accused people’s brothel. This was done to scare and terrify the victims, giving them the impression that trying to flee would drive them insane.

    The victims were forced to perform sexual services in exchange for cash. About ten to twenty men interacted with them on their first day, paying fees that ranged from GH₵30 to GH₵50, all of which went to the accused.

    The victims told the police, who were on patrol in Wassa Japa, in the Wassa Amenfi East Municipality, on August 23 when they could take no more of the anguish.

    The patrol team arrested and brought Oluwasenu and Success to the Wassa Akropong Police Station where they lodged a complaint.  

  • Kenya to ban children’s homes over child trafficking

    The Kenyan government, through Minister of Social Protection Florence Bore, has announced plans to eliminate all privately owned orphanages and children’s homes within the next eight years.

    This move aims to combat child trafficking.

    Minister Bore emphasized that the closure of these facilities is intended to place children in family and community-based care, providing a more conducive environment for their well-being.

    According to a 2017 report by the UN children’s agency, an estimated 40,000 children resided in 811 registered institutions in Kenya. Data regarding the number of children in unregistered institutions is currently unavailable.

    Ms. Bore shared on social media, specifically X (formerly known as Twitter), that the government is already in the process of reforming children’s homes and orphanages.

    “In the next eight years private homes will not exist. We need to prepare in order to absorb those children,” she said on Sunday during an inspection of children’s care facilities under construction by Kenya’s government.

    Ms Bore has stated that the government will continue to house children in institutions administered by the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, the government body responsible for the care, protection, welfare, and adoption of Kenyan children.

  • Couple accused of trafficking children to go on remand for two more week by Ugandan court

    Couple accused of trafficking children to go on remand for two more week by Ugandan court

    An American couple accused of trafficking children have been remanded in detention by a Ugandan court on Tuesday.

    They could receive a life sentence if found guilty.

    Nicholas Spencer and his wife Mackenzie Leigh Spencer allegedly tortured and held a 10-year-old boy in a small, cold room without clothes between 2020 and 2022, according to a charge sheet presented by the state prosecution service in December 2022.

    According to the couple’s lawyer, David Mpanga, they will return to court on February 2 to hear the progress of the state’s investigation.

    ”It has been adjourned to the 2nd of February and we will be here to hear the status of the investigation and when the case will be ready for committal to the High Court,” Moanga said.

    He added, “They are charged with aggravated trafficking and aggravated torture. The aggravated trafficking charge is only triable in the high court so the case today was for the court to monitor the progress of the investigation and to determine when the state will be ready to commit them to the High Court.”

    The boy is one of the couple’s three adopted children, who arrived in Uganda in 2017 to volunteer at a US-based nonprofit in the town of Jinja before moving to Naguru, an upmarket suburb of Kampala, to work in a start-up.

    Source: African News

    • Nigerian jailed five years for human trafficking and forced prostitution

      A 31-year-old Nigerian woman has been sentenced to a five-year jail term by a Circuit court for human trafficking.

      Blessing Favour pleaded guilty to human trafficking and forced prostitution and was convicted on her plea.

      Blessing had earlier pleaded for mercy and told the court she had regretted her action, adding that she was a single mother.

      The judge, His Lordship, Alexander Oworae ignored her plea and sentenced her to five years to serve as a deterrent to others who are engaged in similar acts.

      The suspect collapsed in the dock after the judge pronounced his judgement.

      The culprit on Monday, December 5, 2022, pleaded guilty to charges of human trafficking and forced prostitution after she was arrested.

      She had trafficked young women from Nigeria under the guise that they were coming to work in Ghana but ended up in a brothel in Tamale, the Northern Region capital and “Dollar Power” a mining community in the Savannah Region.

      On Sunday, December 4, 2022, one of the victims who was pursued by Blessing Favour when she tried to escape coincidentally fell into the hands of the Police.

      The victim saw the Police while she was being chased and raised an alarm leading to the arrest of the suspect.

      Source: Myjoyonline

    • Nigerian Police arrest woman with 15 trafficked children

      A 44-year-old woman is in police grips for the alleged theft of 15 children in the southern Rivers state.

      Per reports, the suspect claimed to be a nun running an orphanage.

      The police say the children between four and 15 years were abducted in order to be trafficked by the woman.

      State Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, said investigations revealed that some had been abducted years ago, including a nine-year-old boy who had been taken from a market in 2020.

      He said some of the children had recounted to the police their experiences of torture and mistreatment.

      He said a further probe into the incident was ongoing with a view to arrest other suspects linked to the crimes.

      Meanwhile, the police are working to reunite the children with their parents. Human trafficking is common in Nigeria.

    • Sir Mo Farah reveals he was trafficked to the UK as a child

      Sir Mo Farah was brought to the UK illegally as a child and forced to work as a domestic servant, he has revealed.

      The Olympic star has told the BBC he was given the name Mohamed Farah by those who flew him over from Djibouti. His real name is Hussein Abdi Kahin.

      He was flown over from the East African country aged nine by a woman he had never met, and then made to look after another family’s children, he says.

      “For years I just kept blocking it out,” the Team GB athlete says.

      “But you can only block it out for so long.”

      The long-distance runner has previously said he came to the UK from Somalia with his parents as a refugee.

      But in a documentary by the BBC and Red Bull Studios, seen by BBC News and airing on Wednesday, he says his parents have never been to the UK – his mother and two brothers live on their family farm in the breakaway state of Somaliland.

      His father, Abdi, was killed by stray gunfire when Sir Mo was four years old, in civil violence in Somalia. Somaliland declared independence in 1991 but is not internationally recognised.

      Sir Mo says he was about eight or nine years old when he was taken from home to stay with family in Djibouti. He was then flown over to the UK by a woman he had never met and wasn’t related to.

      She told him he was being taken to Europe to live with relatives there – something he says he was “excited” about. “I’d never been on a plane before,” he says.

      The woman told him to say his name was Mohamed. He says she had fake travel documents with her that showed his photo next to the name “Mohamed Farah”.

      Source: BBC

    • Five trafficked teenage Nigerian girls rescued

      The Western Regional Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old woman for allegedly trafficking five teenage girls from Nigeria into the country.

      The police said the suspect brought the victims, aged between 17 and 20, to Ghana on the pretext of securing jobs for some and helping others to learn trades, but instead pushed them into prostitution on arrival.

      Suspect in custody

      The Takoradi Metropolitan Police rescued the five victims — Ngozi Thompson, 17; Ruth Obi, 19; Angel Godspower, 20; Jenifer Demi, 17, and Emmanuella Okorie, 19 — yesterday.

      Uganda police detain 16 suspects over homosexuality, human trafficking

      A police source told the Daily Graphic that the suspect, Mary Gladys Obi, a Nigerian, was monitored for some time until the early hours of yesterday when the police arrested her.

      The victims told the police that Obi brought them to Takoradi some months ago and that on arrival, she took them to her brothel, where they were supposed to lodge and start work.

      Commercial sex

      The girls said to their shock, they were forced to sleep with men, while the suspect collected money from the men.

      The police said their investigations had revealed that the suspect lured the girls into Ghana in order to make money out of them through prostitution.

      US woman who hid baby in bag charged with human trafficking

      Victims safe

      The Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Redeemer Vincent Dedjoe, confirmed the story and said the suspect was in police custody.

      He said the victims were being taken care of by the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service.

      Source: Graphic.com.gh