Two women from Ghana are finally back home after falling victim to an elaborate online love scheme that led to their abduction in Nigeria.
What began as a promise of marriage to wealthy foreign suitors turned into a harrowing ordeal involving violence, ransom demands, and a cross-border rescue.
The two victims, Evelyn Serwaa Konadu and Anatasia Baidoo, believed they were heading into new relationships, only to discover they were walking into a trap.
Their journey ended not in romance, but in captivity at the hands of a Nigerian criminal gang.
A video that surfaced online during the ordeal showed one of the women tied up and being assaulted, sparking outrage and concern.
The kidnappers reportedly sent the footage to her family along with financial demands, pushing relatives to send part of the requested ransom before security forces stepped in.
Further investigations revealed that both women had been taken to the same hideout by the same group. After several days in captivity, a coordinated operation involving Ghana’s law enforcement,
Nigeria’s police, and intelligence officers from the National Signals Bureau led to their safe return to Accra on Friday, May 9, 2025.
Health personnel and investigators are now attending to the women as standard procedures unfold. Authorities confirmed they are both physically stable and will undergo necessary checks and interviews to assist ongoing investigations.
Officials have issued a fresh alert to Ghanaians, especially young women, warning them about the growing threat of online predators using romance as a disguise for trafficking and extortion.
The public is being advised to exercise extreme caution when engaging with strangers online and to report anything suspicious to the appropriate authorities.
The police thanked their Nigerian counterparts and intelligence collaborators for the swift and effective support that made the rescue possible.
