By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have rescued 20 Ghanaian nationals who were trafficked into Uyo, the state capital.
The rescue operation, carried out on Monday, August 18, 2025, followed a collaborative effort between the command, the Ghana Police Service, and INTERPOL after a formal request for assistance was lodged by the Ghanaian authorities.
Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives stormed a heavily fenced compound in Obio Etoi village, Uyo Local Government Area, at about 4:17 p.m. The raid led to the rescue of 10 males and 10 females, all confirmed to be Ghanaians.
According to preliminary reports, the victims appeared disoriented and unable to provide meaningful information to investigators, raising suspicions that they may have been hypnotised by their traffickers.
Police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, who confirmed the operation in a statement, assured that investigations are ongoing, while the rescued victims are currently receiving care and undergoing debriefing.
“The command remains committed to combating human trafficking and related crimes in Akwa Ibom State. Further developments will be communicated to the public as the investigation progresses,” the statement read.
The rescue adds to the growing list of successful anti-trafficking operations carried out in the state in recent times, as security agencies intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks exploiting vulnerable persons across borders.