Eric Patrick
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three nationals, Peter Okoye, Paulinus Chidokwe, 35, and Chinonso Okafor, 35, members of a transnational kidnapping syndicate operating between Nigeria and Ghana.
The police also rescued two kidnapped Ghanaian victims in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Force Public Relation Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobion, shared on the Nigeria Police Force Facebook page on Friday.
The operation, led by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), took place on May 1, 2025.
The operation followed a report filed with the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja on April 27th, 2025, regarding the abduction of 48-year-old Ghanaian national, Anastasia Arthur, also known as Baidoo.
Investigations revealed that her kidnapping was connected to a sophisticated Facebook romance scam, involving a network of criminals operating across both countries.
The police, working closely with the Ghanaian Police Service, tracked down the suspects to Port-Harcourt.
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A key breakthrough in the investigation was the arrest of Emeka Christian, a 27-year-old Nigerian national residing in Bolgatanga, Upper Eastern Ghana. Christian confessed to receiving a ransom payment of GH 10,000 Cedis for Ms. Baidoo, which he transferred to a Nigerian bank account linked to Okoye.
During the operation, the two victims, Ms. Baidoo and Amaseerwaa Konadu, were rescued and taken to the hospital for medical treatment after enduring harsh conditions while in captivity.
The suspects are currently under investigation, and legal action will follow upon the completion of the investigation.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun commended the officers for their swift and coordinated efforts, underscoring the police commitment to tackling transnational crime and ensuring the safety of citizens.
The Nigeria Police Force has also warned the public to remain cautious of online romance scams and report any suspicious activities to the nearest law enforcement agency.