The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has arrested eight individuals. They are connected with the kidnapping of two Ghanaian women, Anastasia Baidoo and Evelyn Serwaa Konadu.
The victims were seen in a disturbing viral video that sparked public outrage and prompted swift action by law enforcement. In the footage, one of the women was shown nude. She was assaulted with a machete. This prompted immediate intervention by the security agencies.
The first round of arrests occurred on May 1, 2025, by the Upper East Regional Police Intelligence officers. Four suspects—Christian Emeka, 27, Basil Okonkwo, 29 (Nigerians), Titus Mba Awuni, 25, and Amalbeo Alfred, 21 (Ghanaians from Bolgatanga)—were apprehended.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Marmah Mahasseh Nii Martie, 31. He was arrested in Teshie by the Police Intelligence Department in Accra.
Three additional suspects—Peter Okoye, 31; Paulinus Chidokwe, 35; and Chinonso Okafor, 35—were captured in Port Harcourt and Onitsha, Nigeria. The two victims were rescued during this operation.
The Director-General of CID, DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, addressed the media in Accra. She confirmed the arrests. She also confirmed the successful rescue of the victims. She credited the joint operation between the Ghana Police Service, the National Signals Bureau (NSB), and the Nigerian Police Force.
“We are grateful to the NSB and the Nigeria Police Force for the collaboration in rescuing these women,” she said. “The suspects demanded a ransom of GH₵500,000 from each victim’s family. A total of GH₵18,000 was paid to various phone numbers provided by the suspects.”
Currently, both victims are in the custody of Nigerian authorities and have undergone medical checks. Efforts are underway to repatriate them to Ghana and to extradite the suspects.
In a separate case, DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor announced the successful rescue of three Chinese crew members. They were kidnapped during a pirate attack on the Ghanaian fishing vessel Mengxin 1 near Nyanyano in April.
Reports revealed that seven armed men boarded the ship, fired warning shots, and abducted the three Chinese nationals. They were later found abandoned at a remote location in Nigeria.
Four suspects linked to the abduction were arrested following coordinated efforts by the Ghana Police and other relevant agencies.
DCOP Donkor emphasised the importance of inter-agency and cross-border collaboration in tackling transnational crimes.
“The success achieved in these cases underscores the critical need for enhanced cooperation between security agencies both locally and internationally,” she stated.
