Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), have rescued a Ghanaian national, Sammed Iddrisu, who was lured into Nigeria under the guise of securing legitimate travel documents for migration to Europe.
The victim, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, fell prey to an elaborate trafficking scheme spearheaded by a suspect identified as Attah, who had promised to procure a French visa and other travel credentials. Investigations revealed that on January 10, 2025, the victim’s father, Mr. Nartey Louda, paid a sum of GHC 55,000 to the suspect for what turned out to be a fake immigration arrangement.
The operation to rescue Sammed Iddrisu was conducted on June 27, 2025, in Abuja, following actionable intelligence received earlier on June 16 from INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Accra, Ghana. Upon arriving in Abuja on June 25, the young Ghanaian was reportedly held against his will and forced into internet fraud activities associated with the notorious QNET pyramid scheme — a fraudulent enterprise falsely marketed as an e-commerce opportunity.
According to the police, Sammed was coerced into participating in these illegal online operations by a criminal syndicate that has been exploiting unsuspecting victims under the pretext of offering foreign job placements and visa procurement services. A breakthrough in the case came after another Ghanaian victim managed to escape from the traffickers and alerted authorities in Ghana, prompting swift international coordination between the INTERPOL units in Accra and Abuja.
Through meticulous surveillance and intelligence gathering, Nigerian police officers from the FCT Command, alongside INTERPOL NCB Abuja, launched a rescue operation which led to the successful recovery of the victim and the disruption of the criminal network. Authorities have since commenced reintegration protocols to ensure Sammed’s safe return and recovery.
In light of this incident, the Nigeria Police have once again cautioned members of the public, particularly the youth, to be wary of fraudulent travel offers that promise quick relocation abroad. ACP Adejobi urged Nigerians and foreign nationals alike to always verify the authenticity of travel-related opportunities through recognized diplomatic missions and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate security agencies.
The Force also confirmed that INTERPOL NCB Abuja has intensified efforts to apprehend the individuals behind the trafficking ring, affirming that those found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law.
This latest operation adds to a growing list of cross-border interventions by Nigerian law enforcement authorities aimed at dismantling human trafficking networks operating under various guises.