Two Kidnapped Ghanaian Women Return from Nigeria, CID Confirms

Two Ghanaian women who were reportedly lured to Nigeria through a romance scam and subsequently held captive by a criminal syndicate have been safely returned to Accra.

The victims, identified as Evelyn Serwaa Konadu and Anastasia Baidoo, arrived at Kotoka International Airport on the morning of Friday, May 9, 2025.

“Both women are in stable condition and are receiving the necessary medical care. They will also undergo standard police procedures to assist with ongoing investigations,” said DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, during a press briefing.

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She warned the public about the rising threat of online scams, particularly those involving fake romantic relationships, and urged Ghanaians to be vigilant when interacting with strangers online.

“We urge everyone to avoid sharing personal or financial information with unknown individuals and to report any suspicious activity to the police without delay,” she emphasized.

DCOP Donkor also expressed appreciation for international cooperation in the case: “We extend our sincere gratitude to the Nigeria Police Force and the National Signals Bureau for their crucial support in this operation.”

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The Ordeal

The two women had been tricked into traveling to Nigeria under the false promise of marrying foreign men. Before their rescue, a disturbing video surfaced on social media showing one of the women tied with a rope and being assaulted by unidentified individuals.

Police investigations confirmed that the woman in the video was a Ghanaian who had been deceived into making the trip. Upon her arrival in Nigeria, she was abducted and physically abused. Her captors later sent the video to her family along with a ransom demand.

Further inquiries revealed a second Ghanaian woman had fallen victim to the same scam and was being held at the same location. Both women endured similar mistreatment.

According to police reports, the victims’ families made partial ransom payments before a coordinated rescue effort involving the Ghana Police Service, Nigeria Police Force, and the National Signals Bureau led to their release.