12 West African nationals rescued, 15 laptops seized at Kpone

The Tema Regional Police Command discovered a potential human trafficking conspiracy in the Sebrepor hamlet in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, shocking the locals.

On Sunday, August 20, 2023, two West African nationals were apprehended after this finding, according to locals who said they were imprisoning 12 additional individuals.

In the course of the operation, 15 laptops were taken from a five-bedroom home where 12 Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 30 were reportedly exposed to unimaginable horrors and forced by two ringleaders to commit cybercrime in order to survive.

According to locals, the 12 people who were allegedly trafficked from Nigeria were detained against their will by Nigerian kidnappers.

The neighbors were worried due to a constant ruckus coming from the facility, which prompted them to call the police, who eventually apprehended all 14 inmates.

“We witnessed from the window that the person was signalling for help. He looked extremely weak. It was somewhat obscured by the net covering the burglar-proof. This alarmed us, so we informed the area’s Assembly Member, who summoned the police,” a resident shared.

Members of the community claim that these victims, who appeared undernourished, were forced to commit cybercrime in exchange for food.

An eyewitness noted, “When the two police motorbikes arrived and forced their way into the house, they discovered 12 individuals who seemed hungry, their complexion almost pale, as though they were held captive. It was a dire situation. They were placed there, hungry. If they didn’t secure clients, hunger awaited. They needed to work and deceive clients online before they could eat.

“It was undoubtedly against their will. One of the victims mentioned that they were confined there without food,” noted another resident.

In an interview with Joy News, Prince Jacob Adjorvor, an assemblyman from the Sebrepor electoral area, verified the occurrence.

“A combined team of police and military personnel was called in; we reached an agreement and proceeded. Upon entry, we counted 12 young men, along with their alleged leader, and approximately 15 laptops.

“These items were seized and subsequently transferred to the Emefs Police Station.

They were subsequently delivered to the Tema Regional Police Command in the evening, nevertheless, due to worries about immigration.