In a significant operation on April 17, 2025, Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) dismantled a human trafficking network in Oyarifa, Accra. The raid led to the rescue of 219 victims and the arrest of 35 suspects.
Acting EOCO Executive Director Abdulai Bashiru Dapilah revealed that the victims, primarily from neighboring West African countries, were lured with promises of employment and education. Instead, they were confined in overcrowded conditions and coerced into cybercrime activities.
Recovered items included laptops, internet routers, and personal effects used in the illicit operations. EOCO is conducting screenings to distinguish victims from perpetrators and plans to repatriate foreign nationals, with the Nigerian High Commission already involved.
During a press briefing, Dapilah stated, “These individuals were deceived into thinking they were coming for greener pastures, but ended up in a web of forced labor and digital fraud. This is modern-day slavery, and we are committed to breaking these chains.”
This operation underscores EOCO’s commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations.
