May 18, 2025
By Adedoja Adesoji
A brazen kidnapping and extortion scheme targeting two unsuspecting Ghanaian women has been foiled by the Ghana Police Service, leading to the arrest of three Nigerian nationals who are suspected to be Igbos, Peter Okoye, Pilonus Chidioke, and Chinonso Okafor.
The suspects allegedly posed as white men on Facebook, wooing the victims with marriage proposals before kidnapping them and demanding a staggering 500,000 Ghana cedis in ransom from each family.
According to the police report, the victims, Anastasia Badu and Evelyn Sewa Klidu, were lured to Nigeria under the guise of marriage proposals.
Upon arrival, they were kidnapped, stripped naked, tied up, and brutally assaulted. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 500,000 Ghana cedis from each family, with a total of 18,000 Ghana cedis paid to various phone numbers.
“We were able to establish the identity and true address of suspect Peter Okoye who had custody of the victims,” said the police.
“These details were then shared with Interpol Nigeria, and they aided in the tracking and arrest of the three suspects.”
The investigation revealed a complex web of deceit, with suspects using stolen Ghanaian identities and mobile money accounts to facilitate their nefarious activities.
One of the suspects, Christian Emeka, a Nigerian who had been living in Ghana, told the police that he had invited his friend Bassey Okonkwo from Nigeria to Ghana to assist him in doing business. However, Emeka claimed that Peter Okoye had contacted him, requesting his mobile money number to receive some money, and later informed him that he had kidnapped some Ghanaian ladies who were with him in Nigeria.
“I knew he received 5,000 cedis, another 5,000 cedis, and another 3,200 Ghana cedis, totaling 13,200 Ghana cedis through MTN number 053663088,”
Emeka confessed. “Out of the amount, he took 900 Ghana cedis for himself, 150 Ghana cedis for transfer charges, and then he transferred the balance of 12,250 Ghana cedis to the said Peter Okoye.”
The police investigation further revealed that the suspects had used various phone numbers registered in the names of different individuals, including Bukari Danladi and Barikisu Mohammed, to receive the ransom payments.
The money was then converted to naira and sent into a Nigerian bank account provided by suspect Peter Okoye bearing the name Cecilia Williams.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that the suspects face the full rigors of the law,” said the police, assuring Ghanaians that their safety and security remain a top priority.
As the investigation continues, the police are working to gather more evidence to prosecute the suspects.
The victims are expected to return to Ghana soon, and the suspects will face justice. The police have vowed to pursue the case relentlessly, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their heinous crimes.
The victims’ families have expressed gratitude to the police for their efforts in rescuing their loved ones.
“We are grateful to the police for their hard work and dedication,” said a relative of one of the victims. “We just want our daughters back home safe and sound.”
The police have assured the public that they will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of Ghanaians, both at home and abroad.
