Ghana’s Foreign Minister Verifies the Rescue and Repatriation of 202 Trafficked Ghanaians from Nigeria
Over 200 Trafficked Ghanaians Rescued from Nigeria, Says Foreign Minister
In a significant development in the fight against human trafficking, 202 Ghanaian nationals have been rescued and repatriated from Nigeria, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Speaking before Parliament on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that the victims were deceived and trafficked by a criminal network operating under the guise of Q-Net, a known fraudulent recruitment syndicate.
“Our missions in Nigeria have successfully repatriated 202 Ghanaians—78 through the Abuja Mission and 124 via the Lagos Mission,” the Minister stated.
These individuals were lured with false promises of lucrative jobs abroad, particularly in Europe, and were misled into thinking that countries like Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire served as easier and quicker visa processing hubs than Ghana.
More Victims Held in Côte d’Ivoire
Minister Ablakwa also expressed concern about the estimated 500 Ghanaians currently believed to be trapped in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Many of these victims are reportedly being held against their will, with some now involved in perpetuating the very scam that once ensnared them.
Investigations have unearthed a disturbing reality, some of the ringleaders operating in Côte d’Ivoire are Ghanaians themselves, who were once victims of the scam but have turned to trafficking others to reclaim personal losses.
Q-Net’s Tactics and the Need for Vigilance
The Q-Net syndicate continues to prey on desperate individuals, promising European travel and high-paying jobs. Victims are typically routed through neighboring countries under the guise of “transit” processing centers. Once there, they are exploited, detained, and in some cases, forced to assist in recruiting others.
“The traffickers lure unsuspecting compatriots under the pretext of facilitating their travel to France or other European countries,” Ablakwa explained.
Ghana Steps Up Anti-Trafficking Measures
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is collaborating with national and international security agencies to dismantle the trafficking networks and repatriate all affected citizens. The Minister emphasized that a long-term, systemic approach is being adopted to curb this growing threat.
“We are intensifying diplomatic and security-led efforts to bring our people home and put an end to this deeply troubling trend,” he told Parliament.
The government is urging the public, especially the youth, to be cautious of too-good-to-be-true overseas job offers and to verify opportunities through official channels before taking action.
