Three suspects in a cross-border kidnapping syndicate, who were linked to the abduction of two Ghanaian women, have been arrested in Rivers State following the successful rescue effort by members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The two Ghanaian women, Anastasia Arthur aka Baidoo (48) and Amaseerwaa Konadu, were said to have fallen victim to a Facebook love scam.
The two victims were freed on May 1 in Port Harcourt after a rescue operation was conducted by the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, revealed in a statement on Friday that the operation was launched after a report was filed with the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja on April 27, 2025.
The report detailed the abduction of one Anastasia Arthur, also known as Baidoo, a 48-year-old Ghanaian national.
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“Initial investigations revealed that Ms. Baidoo’s abduction stemmed from a sophisticated Facebook love scam,” Adejobi stated. “Advanced technical analysis provided critical leads, and operatives were promptly deployed.”
According to Adejobi, Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities worked jointly to track the syndicate.
One of the suspects, 27-year-old Emeka Christian, a Nigerian residing in Bolgatanga, Upper Eastern Ghana, was arrested and confessed to receiving GH₵10,000 in ransom.
The funds were reportedly transferred to a Nigerian bank account belonging to another suspect, Peter Okoye.
IRT operatives later apprehended Okoye in Port Harcourt, alongside two other syndicate members, Paulinus Chidokwe and Chinonso Okafor, both aged 35.
During the raid, the two Ghanaian women were found in deplorable conditions and were immediately taken to a hospital for medical care.
The Force reiterated its commitment to international cooperation in tackling transnational crimes and assured that the suspects would face the full wrath of the law.
