The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced the rescue of two kidnapped Ghanaian women identified as Ms. Anastasia Arthur (aka Baidoo) and Amaseerwaa Konadu, and the arrest of four suspects.
The arrested members of the crime syndicate are Emeka Christian, Peter Okoye, Paulinus Chidokwe, and Chinonso Okafor.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, describing the development as a resounding victory against crime, particularly transnational crime.
Adejobi asserted that the NPF demonstrated its resolve to safeguard lives and property, dealing a significant blow to organised criminal networks operating across international borders.
He noted that the rescue was achieved in partnership with the Ghanaian Police Service.
“Following a report filed with the National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja on April 27th, 2025, regarding the kidnap of one Anastasia Arthur aka Baidoo, a 48-year-old Ghanaian national, the Nigeria Police Force, through its Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has successfully rescued 2 kidnapped Ghanaian Nationals and apprehended a key kidnapping syndicate operating across international borders.
“Initial investigations revealed that Ms. Baidoo’s abduction stemmed from a sophisticated Facebook love scam. Advanced technical analysis provided a lead to a key location connected to the perpetrators, and operatives were deployed for immediate action. Working in close collaboration with the Ghanaian Police Service, the IRT operatives identified a criminal syndicate with members operating in both Ghana and Nigeria.
“Key breakthroughs in the investigation included the arrest of one Emeka Christian, a 27-year-old Nigerian national residing in Bolgatanga, Upper Eastern Ghana, who confessed to receiving GH 10,000 Cedis as ransom money for the victim through his Ghanaian mobile account. He further admitted to transferring the Naira equivalent to a Nigerian bank account belonging to one Peter Okoye,” the statement partly reads.
Adejobi revealed that on May 1, 2025, at about 1:22 p.m., IRT operatives successfully tracked Okoye, the prime suspect, to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He disclosed that the suspect was apprehended along with other members of his syndicate: Paulinus Chidokwe, 35, and Chinonso Okafor, 35.
“Two Ghanaian women, Ms. Anastasia Arthur aka Baidoo and Amaseerwaa Konadu, who were victims of these abductors, were rescued in the process,” the spokesperson said.
He stated that the victims had been taken to the hospital for proper treatment, having been held under dehumanising circumstances, adding that the suspects are currently under investigation and, upon its conclusion, will face the full wrath of the law.
Reacting to the operation, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the officers for their swift and coordinated action, which led to the successful rescue of the foreign nationals.
IGP Egbetokun emphasised that the achievement underscores the security agency’s commitment, and that of its international partners, to combatting transnational crime and ensuring the safety and security of all individuals within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
He urged the public to be cautious of online romance scams and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest law enforcement agency, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, through its contact handles:
– Email: pressforabuja@police.gov.ng
– X: @PoliceNG
– Facebook: @ngpolice
– Instagram: nigeriapoliceforce.
