The Ghana Police Service has confirmed the safe return of Evelyn Serwaa Konadu and Anastasia Baidoo, the two Ghanaian women who were abducted in Nigeria after falling victim to an online romance scam.
The victims arrived at the Kotoka International Airport around 1:45 p.m. on Friday, May 9, aboard an Africa World Airlines flight from Abuja. They were received by the Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, who later addressed the media at the Police Headquarters in Accra.
DCOP Donkor said the successful rescue was the result of a joint effort between the Ghana Police Service, the National Signals Bureau (NSB), and the Nigerian Police Force, with support from the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria.
“As we stated then, arrangements were underway to safely transport the victims back to Ghana. I’m pleased to confirm that we received them today, accompanied by an official from the Ghana High Commission who verified their identities. The officer is present with us here to confirm their arrival,” she said.
Both victims are reported to be in stable condition and will receive medical attention before assisting police with ongoing investigations.
DCOP Donkor expressed appreciation to all officers and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the operation, including the Director-General of the NSB and the families of the victims.
The CID boss also warned the public about the increasing trend of online romance scams and urged Ghanaians to exercise caution when interacting with strangers on the internet, especially in matters involving personal or financial trust.
“Please refrain from sharing personal or financial information online and report any suspicious behaviour to the police immediately,” she urged.
Security agencies have since arrested eight suspects in various hideouts across Ghana and Nigeria. The Ghana Police Service says it remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.
