12 Nigerians nabbed in Ghana prostitution crackdown

Ghanaian police have arrested 12 Nigerians following a sting operation concentrating on a prostitution ring within the New Juaben South Municipality of the Jap Area.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Wednesday from a report by Ghanaian information outlet, Fashionable Ghana, that the suspects had been apprehended throughout a raid on a suspected brothel in Dabiasem, a suburb of New Juaben.

In line with the report, the operation was triggered by a grievance from a 30-year-old Nigerian girl, Stella Godwill, who alleged that she was trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana by a girl recognized as Christabel Simon Monday for the aim of prostitution.

The complainant reportedly informed the police that she was required to satisfy a each day earnings goal of 400 Ghana cedis however was solely in a position to increase 250 cedis on the day of the incident.

She additional alleged that she was assaulted by her trafficker and the latter’s boyfriend, recognized as Simon Kwarteng, for failing to satisfy the quota.

Confirming the event, the Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Ransford Nsiah, stated the grievance was obtained final Sunday.

“We obtained a grievance from a Nigerian girl who alleged that she had been assaulted by her mistress, generally known as a ‘queen mom’, for failing to satisfy a each day goal of GH¢400,” Nsiah was quoted as saying.

Performing on the report, the police launched investigations and arrested Monday in Dabiasem. Additional enquiries led operatives to the suspected brothel in the identical space, the place 12 further suspects had been arrested. Condoms had been reportedly recovered through the operation.

The police additionally arrested two different suspects — a landlord accused of offering lodging for the unlawful actions and a bouncer allegedly linked to the operation.

“We additionally arrested a person who transformed his home right into a brothel and collects GH¢25 each day from the ladies. In all, about 15 individuals, aged between 15 and 32 years, are at present in police custody and shall be put earlier than the courtroom,” Nsiah added.

The police later clarified that about 15 suspects, aged between 15 and 31 years, stay in custody pending the conclusion of investigations and arraignment.

Authorities confirmed that one of many suspects is a minor, who has been separated for cover, whereas preparations are being made with the Division of Social Welfare.

The Municipal Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Augustine Kusi Asante, warned landlords in opposition to renting out properties for unlawful actions, noting that Part 277 of Ghana’s Legal Offences Act, 1960, criminalises the operation of brothels and prescribes penalties together with fines or imprisonment.

He added that the suspects allegedly violated Sections 273, 274 and 277 of the Act, which prohibit prostitution, human trafficking and the operation of brothels.

The police expressed concern over the involvement of minors in industrial intercourse actions and urged the general public to supply credible data to assist dismantle trafficking networks and shield weak individuals.

Investigations are ongoing as a part of broader efforts to curb trafficking and exploitation within the Jap Area, the place earlier operations reportedly uncovered syndicates that lured younger girls from Nigeria with guarantees of hospitality jobs earlier than forcing them into prostitution.