By Our Correspondent
The Ghana Police Service has arrested three Nigerian women for allegedly trafficking young Nigerian women into Ghana under false pretences and forcing them into prostitution in a case that has also uncovered an alleged plot to sell a newborn baby.
The suspects, identified as Peace Agbede, Favour Sunday Udo and Faith Levy, were apprehended by the Upper East Regional Command during an operation at Gbane, a mining community in the Talensi District of Ghana's Upper East Region.
Police said four female victims, aged between 18 and 20, were rescued during the operation.
According to a statement issued by the Ghana Police Service on Wednesday, preliminary investigations revealed that the prime suspect, Peace Agbede, allegedly lured one of the victims from Nigeria with promises of helping her pursue a career in Ghana's movie industry because of her physical appearance.
Believing the promise, the young woman reportedly travelled with Agbede to Ghana in the hope of securing acting opportunities.
However, upon arrival, investigators said the suspect failed to fulfil the promise and instead transported the victim to the mining settlement of Gbane-Tongo, where she was allegedly forced into prostitution.
Police alleged that the victim was compelled to remit GH¢400 daily to Agbede from proceeds earned through commercial sex work.
Investigators further disclosed that after the victim became pregnant and delivered a baby on June 26, 2026, Agbede, accompanied by co-suspect Favour Sunday Udo, allegedly attempted to persuade her to sell the newborn.
According to the police, the suspects informed the victim that an interested buyer was willing to pay GH¢20,000 for the baby and tried convincing her to hand over the child in exchange for the money.
During a search of Agbede's room, police recovered 265 unused condoms and six sales record books bearing the names Esther, Mary, Bright and Silver, documents investigators believe may be linked to the operations of the suspected trafficking and prostitution network.
The discovery is expected to form part of the evidence as investigations continue into the activities of the syndicate and the possible involvement of additional suspects.
The four rescued victims are currently under police protection and are expected to receive the necessary care and support while investigations continue.
The three suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a competent court to face charges related to human trafficking, exploitation and other offences that may arise from ongoing investigations.
The Ghana Police Service said investigations are continuing to establish the full scope of the alleged trafficking operation, identify possible collaborators and determine whether more victims may have been exploited by the network.
The latest arrests highlight growing concerns over cross-border human trafficking in West Africa, where criminal syndicates continue to lure vulnerable young women with false promises of employment and better opportunities before subjecting them to sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse. Law enforcement authorities have reiterated their commitment to dismantling such networks and bringing all those involved to justice.
