The Tema Regional Police Command has dismantled a human trafficking and cyber fraud syndicate operating in Ashaiman, leading to the arrest of three Nigerian nationals and the rescue of seven others who were allegedly being held captive.
According to a police statement signed by ASP Dede Dzakpasu, Head of Public Affairs at the Tema Regional Command, the operation was carried out by the Zenu-Atadeka District Police Patrol Team on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, around 4:00 p.m. at Peace Land, a suburb of Ashaiman.
The suspects — identified as Peter Okoyie (36), a computer engineer, Jolly Ezekiel (30), and Jolly Shadrack (33) — are accused of luring their victims from Nigeria to Ghana under the pretext of offering them construction jobs in Tema.
However, upon arrival, the victims were confined in a house and forced to engage in online fraud activities.
Police investigations revealed that the victims were subjected to severe beatings and compelled to swear oaths of allegiance to their captors.
Those who resisted were locked in a small, 10×12-foot room, where they were denied food, freedom, and access to basic hygiene for several months.
“According to the victims, each was provided with a laptop and trained to create fake romantic relationships with unsuspecting persons in some foreign countries, to defraud them of money,” the statement said.
“The syndicate reportedly used over ten laptops for these operations, with senior members supervising and benefiting from the proceeds.”
During a follow-up search of the suspects’ residence, police retrieved several items, including laptops, routers, mobile phones, household goods, and foodstuffs. The seized items have been retained as exhibits to aid ongoing investigations.
The rescued victims, who had been confined for about eight months, are now in the care of authorities.
On October 9, 2025, the suspects were arraigned before the Ashaiman District Court, presided over by H/W Derick Parden Eshun, on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Crime (Human Trafficking) and Human Trafficking but their pleas were not taken.
“The Tema Regional Police Commander assures the public that investigations are progressing steadily,” ASP Dzakpasu noted.
“The Command is also collaborating with the Ghana Immigration Service to facilitate the safe repatriation and reintegration of the victims with their families in Nigeria.”
The police further urged the public to report any suspected cases of human trafficking or cybercrime to help dismantle organized criminal networks.
