A Nigerian national, identified as Prince James, has been arrested in Ghana on suspicion of involvement in human trafficking. The arrest took place in Kloth, a community close to Damongo in the Savannah Region, according to the Savannah Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).

The arrest, confirmed by the Savannah Regional Commander of GIS, L. A. Agyapong, occurred on October 22, 2026. Agyapong stated that James is believed to be part of a wider trafficking syndicate operating across Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana. The suspect allegedly trafficked young women to remote areas in the Savannah Region, where illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey, is prevalent. These women were reportedly forced into prostitution upon arrival.

In a harrowing account, a victim, whose name has been withheld, recounted how she was lured to Ghana under false pretenses. She revealed that James had promised her a lucrative nursing job, claiming he had connections in Ghana that could secure her employment. However, upon her arrival, she discovered that the job was not in a hospital but rather in the sex trade.

He told me he had someone in Ghana who could get me a well-paid nursing job. When I arrived, I realised it wasn't a hospital job I had been promised, but prostitution," the victim explained. She described the grim reality faced by many girls trafficked to the region, stating, "Most of the girls there smoke and engage in sexual activities with men. That was when I realised this wasn't the work I had been promised.

The victim detailed her escape from the situation, recalling how she fled from a client’s home in the early hours of the morning. "I escaped into the bush around 4 a.m., and a farmer later found me and took me to the police to report the incident," she said.

Commander Agyapong expressed hope that James's arrest would lead to the identification of his accomplices and serve as a warning to others involved in similar activities. He stated, "We hope that the arrest of the suspect, who allegedly teamed up with others to lure girls into Ghana, particularly the Savannah Region against their will, will help us track down his accomplices and serve as a deterrent to others."

The Ghana Immigration Service is continuing its investigations into the trafficking syndicate, aiming to uncover the full extent of the operations and provide support for the victims involved. The plight of the victim and others like her highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking in the region, prompting calls for increased vigilance and protective measures for vulnerable individuals.