Human Trafficking in West Africa is Getting Out of Hand.
In a significant operation, Interpol rescued 33 West Africans from a human trafficking ring in Ivory Coast. Victims were deceived by promises of jobs in Canada, leading them to pay up to $9,000 to recruiters. Instead, they found themselves in Abidjan, held under coercion and forced to participate in scams perpetuating the cycle of deceit.
The raids took place in February, a joint effort by Ivory Coast and Ghanaian police, with some victims originating from Ghana. The case came to light when a concerned father of two victims approached Ghanaian authorities. Victims hailed from Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Ghana.
Youssouf Kouyate, director of the Ivory Coast National Police, praised the “close cooperation” with Ghanaian police and Interpol, and highlighted “the bravery of the victims.” The freed individuals were referred to an NGO for support.
These scams are prevalent in West Africa, prompting widespread law enforcement action, including last year’s arrest of over 300 suspects. Interpol continues to facilitate international collaboration, tackling crimes ranging from human trafficking to cybercrime.
Source(s): AfricaNews, Interpol