Twenty-one Ghanaians trafficked to Nigeria and forced into fraudulent online schemes have been rescued in a major regional security operation led by INTERPOL.
The victims were freed during Operation Screen West Africa 2025, a coordinated effort carried out between July and October across twelve countries to dismantle criminal networks, track traffickers and identify individuals linked to terrorism.
Security agencies in Ghana worked closely with INTERPOL units throughout the operation. Ghanaian officers conducted real-time checks at border posts using INTERPOL systems, contributing to more than one point seven million database searches across the region.
This marked a significant jump from the previous year’s figure of one point three million checks.
INTERPOL Executive Director for Police Services pro tempore Cyril Gout said the cooperation between countries was vital to exposing complex transnational crimes affecting Ghana and its neighbours.
He noted that “our specialist tools help make the links that identify suspected terrorists and disrupt their attempts to create fear and endanger communities,” highlighting the broad impact of the intervention on human trafficking and organised crime.
The wider operation led to sixty-two arrests, including nine people suspected of having ties to terrorist groups. Nearly two hundred and fifty hits were recorded on INTERPOL’s databases.
In one of the most significant breakthroughs, security officers in Burkina Faso arrested two individuals wanted by Côte d’Ivoire for their alleged involvement in terrorist attacks in 2020 that claimed more than ten lives.
Both were subjects of INTERPOL Blue Notices, which assist countries in tracing people connected to ongoing investigations.
Across the sub-region, officers seized weapons, explosives, stolen vehicles, cannabis, counterfeit currency and fraudulent travel documents.
Investigators believe the proceeds from these items often support terrorism and organised crime. INTERPOL says intelligence gathered will now be shared with participating countries as follow-up investigations continue.
