Manny Ita –
Authorities in Ghana’s Eastern Region have detained 12 Nigerian nationals following a coordinated tactical operation aimed at dismantling a cross-border prostitution and human trafficking syndicate. The sting, which took place in the early hours of Thursday, targeted several residential facilities in the regional capital of Koforidua that had been under surveillance for weeks. Intelligence reports suggest that the suspects, primarily women aged between 20 and 32, were part of a wider network that lured young individuals across West African borders with promises of legitimate employment in the hospitality and retail sectors.
During the raid, personnel from the Ghana Police Service seized multiple mobile devices and ledgers allegedly containing records of transactions and client details. A spokesperson for the Regional Police Command confirmed the arrests, stating that the operation was necessitated by an uptick in “suspicious commercial activities and public nuisance complaints” within the municipality. “Our primary focus remains the disruption of organized criminal elements that exploit vulnerable foreign nationals,” the official noted, adding that “investigations are currently underway to determine the immigration status of the detainees and identify the ringleaders behind this operation.”
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is reportedly collaborating with local police to verify the travel documents of those in custody. Preliminary findings indicate that several of the individuals may have entered the country through unauthorized land borders to evade detection. “We are working closely with our counterparts to ensure that all due processes are followed and that the victims of possible human trafficking are identified and protected,” a GIS representative remarked. The 12 suspects are expected to be arraigned before a circuit court once formal charges related to solicitation and illegal residency are finalized.
